[Pathfinder] Reclaiming the Stolen Lands (Kingmaker AP, no longer recruiting)

[NinjaWeazel]

madness.  madness I tell you.  Also I regret my love of punching stuff, as being a Monk means I had to leave Charisma at 10 because I already need four other stats.

[Vergil Tanner]

Ooooooookay....question.

I was eyeing the "Bladebound" Archetype for my Magus. Is it worth it?
I get a lower Arcane Pool (1/3 + Int, rather than 1/2 + Int), and I don't get a Magus Arcana at Lvl 3 (Which I was going to spend on Spell Shield to increase his survivability), BUT I do get a powerful magic weapon with its own Arcana Pool and abilities. What do you guys think? Anybody here used a Magus before, and if so, is Bladebound worth it?

[Rummy Tum Tum]

I'm happy to help, though of course Chulanowa should be the first port of call for all your questions. What have you got so far? Is there a particular bard archetype that you like the look of?

Everyone has rich parents these days, along with bold charisma stats. 

I could recommend taking the Daze and Grease spells. I got them on a controller bard build in a game I am playing in her at home and thus far they have been vital for the group. Not sure about the archery though. Have you checked Treantmonk's Guide for Bards?

Have you seen the Arrowsong Minstrel archetype?

Thank you for the offers of assistance. After considering Arcane Duelist and questioning how useful it would be in the campaign, I was gonna use a regular bard based on Treantmonk's guide. But a controller type and the Arrowsong Minstrel do look real interesting. In the end, I basically just want to fuck with my enemies, inspire my allies, and not do shitty damage.

[HopeFox]

Heavy warhorse with charger archetype. I basically don't want to be bound to doing lance charges all the time. Basically challenge the biggest baddy, lance-charge it (and probably kill it, like holy shit you can do some ridic damage) then dismount to tank the rest, letting the horse flank on its own while the rest of the party joins the fray. Kind of like playing a ranged/melee switch-ranger/fighter but with a horse.

Charger it is! It turns out that the light/heavy horse distinction from D&D 3E isn't implemented the same way in Pathfinder. There is a template to turn a regular horse into a heavy horse, but that's different from what druids and cavaliers get. So, here are the basic stats you'll have on a charger horse mount as a level 1 cavalier:

Horsey!

Size Large; Speed 50 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4), 2 hooves; Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent, link, combat trained, mounted challenge; Light Armor Proficiency + 1 feat; 2 skill points. 2d8 hit dice.

I can turn those into usable combat stats at the end of the process. The horse's class skills are Acrobatics, Climb, Escape Artist, Fly, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth, and Swim, and it's also allowed to have Survival. I recommend taking one rank each of Acrobatics (i.e. jumping) and Perception, although Intimidate might be fun too.

If you want it to wear medium barding (such as chain), you'll need to spend that feat on Medium Armor Proficiency. The Charger archetype increases the mount's maximum Dex bonus from armour, at the same rate as its actual Dexterity increases, so that's nice. It also gets to ignore the speed penalty for medium armour at level 3, and from heavy armour at level 9. If speed is important to you, I'd advise that you start with light armour, then upgrade to medium armour at level 3 and heavy armour at level 9, using the feats it gets at levels 2 and 8 respectively to buy the required proficiencies. If you don't mind a speed reduction, then spend the feat and start with medium armour right now. Horse armour is expensive (as anyone who has played Oblivion will know) - it costs 4x the cost for humans. A "chain shirt" (basically light chain barding) will cost 400 gp and not penalize speed, with +4 AC. Scale barding costs 200 gp and is Medium, for +5 AC. Full chain barding will cost 600 gp, for +6 AC. Heavy barding is out of reach right now, due both to feats and cost. If you choose light armour for now, then Power Attack is a perfectly good feat.

Oh, and a very important question: is your horse a stallion, a mare or a gelding? There's no listed mechanical difference, but it'll affect your mount's behaviour, especially around other horses. Sophia rides a mare.

Everyone has rich parents these days, along with bold charisma stats. 

Not Sophia! Her mother is a Tiger Lord tribal barbarian, and her father is probably a satyr or something, idk.

[Bibliophilia]

I am pretty damn quick when it comes to deciding on what I'm making when I know what image I'm using.  And the minute I read over then gnome stuff in the PG, I knew what picture and what class.  -grins.-  Plus, who could pass up the giant frog?

Plus, I get Grease as an SLA up to three times a day.  -beams.-  Anyhow, I love your art, Wargtass.  And I had the charisma thing first, you're all just totally copying me. -snicker.-

[Zaer Darkwail]

Ooooooookay....question.

I was eyeing the "Bladebound" Archetype for my Magus. Is it worth it?
I get a lower Arcane Pool (1/3 + Int, rather than 1/2 + Int), and I don't get a Magus Arcana at Lvl 3 (Which I was going to spend on Spell Shield to increase his survivability), BUT I do get a powerful magic weapon with its own Arcana Pool and abilities. What do you guys think? Anybody here used a Magus before, and if so, is Bladebound worth it?

I say Bladebound archetype is worth it. As you can use your blade's arcane pool power it and save your own arcane pool for other stuff. Having a unbreakable weapon can become handy as is coolness factor having magical inteligent blade.

[NinjaWeazel]

I am pretty damn quick when it comes to deciding on what I'm making when I know what image I'm using.  And the minute I read over then gnome stuff in the PG, I knew what picture and what class.  -grins.-  Plus, who could pass up the giant frog?

Plus, I get Grease as an SLA up to three times a day.  -beams.-  Anyhow, I love your art, Wargtass.  And I had the charisma thing first, you're all just totally copying me. -snicker.-

I may or may not be tagging along strictly for OOC gnome shortstack reasons.  But I admit nothing.

[Rummy Tum Tum]

I may or may not be tagging along strictly for OOC gnome shortstack reasons.  But I admit nothing.

>.>
<.<

high fives

[Vergil Tanner]

I say Bladebound archetype is worth it. As you can use your blade's arcane pool power it and save your own arcane pool for other stuff. Having a unbreakable weapon can become handy as is coolness factor having magical inteligent blade.

I was thinking that, and several of the guides say that it's a good archetype to have...so how do I figure out the Blades Arcane Pool? And what exactly does it mean when it says "Ego: 5?"
And if I choose for it to be - for example - a Longsword, would "Weapon Focus: Longsword" apply to the Blade?

Also, since my Magus is very squishy...advice on upping his AC quickly so he doesn't get gutted like a fish?

[Wargtass]

Anyhow, I love your art, Wargtass.

I wish I could take credit but alas, I cannot. When I noticed the whole Eastern European theme in Brevoy I knew I had to go to Phobs. Long time fan of theirs.

And I had the charisma thing first, you're all just totally copying me. -snicker.-

And I mean, Jazzy got Wlady beaten there at least. But he's got the STROGNESS. She can ride him when the dungeons don't allow mounts I suppose.

[Chulanowa]

Also, since my Magus is very squishy...advice on upping his AC quickly so he doesn't get gutted like a fish?

Shield is a Magus spell. So is Long Arm, which can put you out of reach of a lot of enemies. Reduce Person would give you an effective +2 AC as well.

You have spells for a reason, it can't just be all Shocking Grasp all the time. 

As for bladebound? if that's the way you wanna go. I admit i'm not a Magus expert (3.5's constant churning out of "gish" classes kinda turned me off the concept)

[Wargtass]

Charger it is! It turns out that the light/heavy horse distinction from D&D 3E isn't implemented the same way in Pathfinder. There is a template to turn a regular horse into a heavy horse, but that's different from what druids and cavaliers get. So, here are the basic stats you'll have on a charger horse mount as a level 1 cavalier:

Horsey!

Size Large; Speed 50 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4), 2 hooves; Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent, link, combat trained, mounted challenge; Light Armor Proficiency + 1 feat; 2 skill points. 2d8 hit dice.

Thank you! We'll see what I do for barding and the first feat. 

Oh, and a very important question: is your horse a stallion, a mare or a gelding? There's no listed mechanical difference, but it'll affect your mount's behaviour, especially around other horses. Sophia rides a mare.

Are you asking if my horse will be flirting with your horse? 

Historically war horses were near exclusively stallions. For a uni-assignment I powered through 250 years of Swedish cavalry records and while the specific sex of the war horses weren't always mentioned in the records every time it was noted (around 80% of the cases iirc) it was never a female.

So yes, my stallion might wink at your mare. 

[HopeFox]

Thank you for the offers of assistance. After considering Arcane Duelist and questioning how useful it would be in the campaign, I was gonna use a regular bard based on Treantmonk's guide. But a controller type and the Arrowsong Minstrel do look real interesting. In the end, I basically just want to fuck with my enemies, inspire my allies, and not do shitty damage.

I don't have a lot of experience with Pathfinder bards over 3.5, but looking over Arrowsong Minstrel, you do give up most of your bardic music abilities. You keep Inspire Courage, though, which is the key one. In exchange, you get a bunch of wizard spells (though fewer spells per day), and the ability to channel ray and missile spells through bow attacks. Honestly, I don't think it's much good. I suspect you'd do better just by being a normal bard, using bardic music to inspire allies, spells to mess with enemies, and stats and feats to give yourself good ranged damage.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I was thinking that, and several of the guides say that it's a good archetype to have...so how do I figure out the Blades Arcane Pool? And what exactly does it mean when it says "Ego: 5?"
And if I choose for it to be - for example - a Longsword, would "Weapon Focus: Longsword" apply to the Blade?

Also, since my Magus is very squishy...advice on upping his AC quickly so he doesn't get gutted like a fish?

Weapon Focus: Longsword applies also black blade (I myself have allowed players pick any weapon form so long it's blade somekind and does piercing or slashing dmg). Arcane Pool with black blade is 1+Int mod of black blade (so overall at best 5 from 17th level). However as half-elf you could pick human alternative favored class bonus and get more arcane points . Also traits to get more or able sacrifice spell slots for some if dearly need it. Ego 5 means that if there is going be conflict of interest with black blade and yourself (rare occurence but possible), you may need contest with will with it.

[Bibliophilia]

-snickers.-  My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard!  -peers.-  These are some strange boys, considering my milkshake is a short chick in leather armor whose brain is full of fluff and gubbins.

[NinjaWeazel]

> implying we want the gnome for her brains...

[Vergil Tanner]

Shield is a Magus spell. So is Long Arm, which can put you out of reach of a lot of enemies. Reduce Person would give you an effective +2 AC as well.

That's why I have Shield as a Spell! Although, would it perhaps be worth it changing to a Scion, so I could change my Int score to Cha and become a - basically - Sorcerer Magus instead, so I don't have to prepare my spells?

Weapon Focus: Longsword applies also black blade (I myself have allowed players pick any weapon form so long it's blade somekind and does piercing or slashing dmg). Arcane Pool with black blade is 1+Int mod of black blade (so overall at best 5 from 17th level). However as half-elf you could pick human alternative favored class bonus and get more arcane points . Also traits to get more or able sacrifice spell slots for some if dearly need it. Ego 5 means that if there is going be conflict of interest with black blade and yourself (rare occurence but possible), you may need contest with will with it.

Ah, ok. I was thinking that for the first few levels, I would take the Favoured Class +1 HP bonus to make the Magus a little less squishy, and then start taking Arcane Pool Points.
And ah, ok! The GM decides the Secret Mission...does the GM decide the characterisation of my talking sword, or do I get to choose its general attitude (and then if there's a contest of wills, I play that out in my post?).

Oh, Zaer! What do YOU think about me changing my Int Score to Cha and going Scion for Unprepared Spellcasting? Or do you think I should keep it as an Int build?

EDIT:

Nope! I just saw how few spells that Build gets. Nope nope nope.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Kalen Rogarvia (Vineson)

Background

Kalen Vineson was raised by farmer family; he had two younger sisters and he was eldest and thus heir of the family farm. His parents were nothing special; kind simple folk who ran vineyard and brewed locally wine which was god enough pass to nobles who enjoyed it's earthly favor. His father was Delam Vineson and mother was Kala Vineson. Kalen's sisters were Daphne Vineson (youngest) and Lelee Vineson (second eldest). Kalen never learned full detail how his parents met, but jokingly mother called it more her 'claiming' Delam for herself once she spotted him. Also mother used her native language to sing and tell tales and use when lecturing Kalen and his sisters when they misbehaved, locals told both father and mother had 'ventured' for time and Delam only came back when his father passed away (and mother year later after he returned). As Delam returned he brought Kala with him, who was clearly not local by appearance and mannerism. Kalen learned as he grew older mother is a Kellid, a tribeswoman but Kalen never learned what her birth tribe had been (she was firmly silent about her tribal past).

However on age fiftheen he woke up coughing on smoke...and see entire house and farm (and it's vineyard gardens) were on fire! he himself was unscathed by fiery destruction even if most rest room was on fire! He panicked and waved his hands....the flames obeyed his gestures as he ran from the house and flames did not burn him. As he ran, he saw visions in flames around him. Image of fire breathing dragons, powerful warrior conquering lands and emblem which belonged to house Rogarvia. Once outside he watched house and farm burn, in morning rain he found in fiery ruins four bodies....two at parents bedroom and two where his sisters slept. He was sole survivor.

Guilt digged deep on him, in morning he saw he could wield magic, it instinctively answering his call. One key elements was him able conjure fiery torrent of flame from fingertips which erupted when he hit his hand on ruined wooden wall as he started cry in anguish. However as wooden wall (burned to crisp) collapsed...it revealed a hidden section in the wall; inside laid beautifully crafted sword&scabbard, as he drew it, on blade was carved symbol of royal blacksmith and emblem of house Rogarvia.

Then, in his disillusioned mind, Kalen laughed and then came up craziest story to explain things to himself; that he was heir of house Rogarvia and the fiery inferno was meant, destined, to happen so he would realize his noble heritage! Claiming the blade he became self-declared noble! Locals, who were kind and also close to his family took him in, gave food and shelter and endured his ramblings. Thinking to pass it as madness of mourning.

However his ramblings did not pass but he persistent manner continued to do so, keeping telling them until one day smith's apprentice (who was his best friend) grew tired of it and attempted 'beat sense' to Kalen! However Kalen conjured fiery flames, mildly burn him but scare him shitless on seeing him conjure flames up and his eyes glowing in amber! Then villagers attitudes changed; no longer just think Kalen as victim of tragedy.....but as potential source of it! Slowly but surely Kalen's ramblings and flamboyant prideful displays of magic turned villagers against him and drove him off after two years by force.

He ran and then boldly decided to go and ask House Surtova for some hospitality granted to heir to house of Rogarvia.....however he was met with harsh reality where his claim was ridiculed, beaten up by bannermen of House Surtova after he had raged on house gates and being a pest and told anything he said are lies until proven otherwise. As he licked his wounds in the alley, he overheard of expedittion going to Greenbelt by authority of Swordlords of Restov to claim the lands for the benefit of the kingdom. There and then Kalen decided to prove himself, to everyone, that he is heir of house Rogarvia and descendant of one greatest conquerors in lands history! So he set out towards Greenbelt along with rest of expedittion as mysterious hooded figure who's body beared fiery glowing tattoos (arcane marks) and amber eyes (sign of his sorcery).

Open for suggestions to where to spend 60g .

[Wargtass]

considering my milkshake is a short chick in leather armor whose brain is full of fluff and gubbins.

I fail to see any negatives. Then again gnomes are a guilty pleasure of mine.

Kalen Rogarvia (Vineson)

Background

Kalen Vineson was raised by farmer family; he had two younger sisters and he was eldest and thus heir of the family farm. His parents were nothing special; kind simple folk who ran vineyard and brewed locally wine which was god enough pass to nobles who enjoyed it's earthly favor.

However on age fiftheen he woke up coughing on smoke...and see entire house and farm (and it's vineyard gardens) were on fire! he himself was unscathed by fiery destruction even if most rest room was on fire! He panicked and waved his hands....the flames obeyed his gestures as he ran from the house and flames did not burn him. As he ran, he saw visions in flames around him. Image of fire breathing dragons, powerful warrior conquering lands and emblem which belonged to house Rogarvia. Once outside he watched house and farm burn, in morning rain he found in fiery ruins four bodies....two at parents bedroom and two where his sisters slept. He was sole survivor.

Guilt digged deep on him, in morning he saw he could wield magic, it instinctively answering his call. One key elements was him able conjure fiery torrent of flame from fingertips which erupted when he hit his hand on ruined wooden wall as he started cry in anguish. However as wooden wall (burned to crisp) collapsed...it revealed a hidden section in the wall; inside laid beautifully crafted sword&scabbard, as he drew it, on blade was carved symbol of royal blacksmith and emblem of house Rogarvia.

Then, in his disillusioned mind, Kalen laughed and then came up craziest story to explain things to himself; that he was heir of house Rogarvia and the fiery inferno was meant, destined, to happen so he would realize his noble heritage! Claiming the blade he became self-declared noble! Locals, who were kind and also close to his family took him in, gave food and shelter and endured his ramblings. Thinking to pass it as madness of mourning.

However his ramblings did not pass but he persistent manner continued to do so, keeping telling them until one day smith's apprentice (who was his best friend) grew tired of it and attempted 'beat sense' to Kalen! However Kalen conjured fiery flames, mildly burn him but scare him shitless on seeing him conjure flames up and his eyes glowing in amber! Then villagers attitudes changed; no longer just think Kalen as victim of tragedy.....but as potential source of it! Slowly but surely Kalen's ramblings and flamboyant prideful displays of magic turned villagers against him and drove him off after two years by force.

He ran and then boldly decided to go and ask House Surtova for some hospitality granted to heir to house of Rogarvia.....however he was met with harsh reality where his claim was ridiculed, beaten up by bannermen of House Surtova after he had raged on house gates and being a pest and told anything he said are lies until proven otherwise. As he licked his wounds in the alley, he overheard of expedittion going to Greenbelt by authority of Swordlords of Restov to claim the lands for the benefit of the kingdom. There and then Kalen decided to prove himself, to everyone, that he is heir of house Rogarvia and descendant of one greatest conquerors in lands history! So he set out towards Greenbelt along with rest of expedittion as mysterious hooded figure who's body beared fiery glowing tattoos (arcane marks) and amber eyes (sign of his sorcery).

Open for suggestions to where to spend 60g .

Band-aids, because Wlady might actually kick his ass if he tries to claim being a Rogarvia. 

Joking aside, have you checked out the different class kits that are available for purchase?

[Chulanowa]

I fail to see any negatives. Then again gnomes are a guilty pleasure of mine.

I, for one, feel no guilt whatsoever. Mmmmgnomes

[HopeFox]

Thank you! We'll see what I do for barding and the first feat. 
Are you asking if my horse will be flirting with your horse? 

Historically war horses were near exclusively stallions. For a uni-assignment I powered through 250 years of Swedish cavalry records and while the specific sex of the war horses weren't always mentioned in the records every time it was noted (around 80% of the cases iirc) it was never a female.

Well, stallions are harder to control than either mares or geldings. Partly because they are prone to chasing after mares in heat even on the battlefield (a significant problem in various wars in Arabia), but also because they're just aggressive, ornery bastards. Medieval destrier warhorses were the worst - completely psychotic, which is why they were bred out of the gene pool as warfare changed. In a more realistic system, I would never advise anyone to ride a stallion, but this is Pathfinder and you have a quasi-supernatural psychic link with your mount, so it's doable.

Riding a stallion instead of a mare or gelding is also a status symbol, and a show of one's horsemanship, because they're expensive and hard to control. Choosing a stallion is making a statement, and that statement is basically "I am wealthy and important and a skilled horseman, and also have an enormous penis".

So yes, my stallion might wink at your mare. 

Hmm. Pure-bred Brevoy stallion hand-picked as a cavalier's warhorse? Sure, that sounds like good stock. Gotta get my next horse from somewhere!

[Chulanowa]

So yes, my stallion might wink at your mare. 

...Usually it's the other way around.

[Vergil Tanner]

60gp? Try packing a Minor Health Potion for 50gp. That's what I do

[Wargtass]

I, for one, feel no guilt whatsoever. Mmmmgnomes

True, nothing to feel guilty about.

I am getting a little worried about the heavy emphasis on charisma now though. The butter is laid on pretty thickly in that one corner... :|c

[Rummy Tum Tum]

So, do I really need to buy a horse?

I am getting a little worried about the heavy emphasis on charisma now though. The butter is laid on pretty thickly in that one corner... :|c

I've got dex too, so Spymaster ahoy?