Pathfinder - Small Incestuous Group of High Power PCs - Taking Applications

[Stendarr]

It seems like people generally most prefer the first idea and I think I'd prefer it as well, so that's what we're going with.

Character creation rules will be updated in the first post by the time I post this reply.

Whether the campaign is evil or not would be irrelevant in this case. The very nature of the artifact's effect on the party (that is, extensive identity modification) makes it the most immediate and dire threat they face, as well the source of the most grievous offense they've suffered.

To follow the first idea players are going to have to suspend disbelief a little (it's a world of crazy magic after all). It's going to run best if players want to push their characters toward succumbing to their desires.

If I'm understanding what you're saying correctly, you're saying that it would be obvious to any individual that their primary goal should be to combat this thing that's trying to change them. But the nature of the effect is going to make them be okay with the change and players are going to have to play into that.

[Kunoichi]

Hmm.  The character concept I had in mind for the first idea was for a formerly-human daughter (or mother, if need be,) who had been transformed into a succubus by the energies unleashed by Akorian's destruction, but who would start the game not having realized that fact yet.  Essentially, she'd start the game under the effects of Change Shape, and would only realize what happened to her if something happened to tear away her disguise or otherwise enlighten her to her transformation.  Looking into the character creation rules in the first post, though, Succubus would pretty obviously not be one of the allowed races.

Is there any chance I could still make this concept work, or should I see what else I can come up with, instead?

[Tavarokk]

If I'm understanding what you're saying correctly, you're saying that it would be obvious to any individual that their primary goal should be to combat this thing that's trying to change them. But the nature of the effect is going to make them be okay with the change and players are going to have to play into that.

Pretty much. So long as there's any chance of the character noticing the effect IC, yeah, I'd expect just about any possible character outside of complete madmen to immediately dedicate everything to freeing themselves and retaliating. And if there's explicitly no such chance, then it amounts to starting the campaign with "you lose no matter what you character is/did/will do, enjoy watching them being screwed over without knowing and being unable to ever do anything about it".

[nomadsoul]

For now, my main go-to idea is son/brother with a arcanist/investigator (though I'm debating vigilante or monk instead of investigator in my head) gestalt build.  As mentioned before, I'm preferential to playing him NG, and possibly a former human who had a fiendish taint that got completely unlocked from exposure to the artifact, making him into a (rakshasa-spawn) tiefling and is trying to cope with his new-found animal instincts.

Myth-weaver sheet to follow.

[Ryu Wojin]

Character creation rules will be updated in the first post by the time I post this reply.

For the intent of application purposes, do you want us building the full character sheet? Or is the basic information you provided enough?

I'll list two concepts here for now.

Aasimar Cluthulu-Influenced Warrior-scholar

Race : Aasimar
Class : Aegis [Abberant] and Oracle [Lore Mystery and Possessed Curse]
Stat Array : Str 18+2, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16+2.
Traits : Reactionary (+2 Init), Princess (Diplomacy +1, Intimidate is class skill and +1), Fate's Favored (luck bonuses increased by 1)

Family Role : Aunt
Battle Role : Frontliner Brusier with divine spells to keep her and others alive.

Bio : Before the conflict with Akorian, this character will have been exploring and resolving matters within Ustalav. She got caught up in a mess of an eldritch ritual gone wrong, and the rift between our world and Carcosa opened. She, along with a few others, ended up managing to close it. But the experience had left her... Different. She wasn't human anymore. She was alien with an aberrant form. She hid away this form for her own mental sake. She had intended to return home and recover and rest.

But then Akorian happened. Fighting along side her family with her experience and prowess was good for her. It brought her back from the broken state she was before. But she dared not show them her alternate form. But when Akorian was defeated, and the essence poured into her. It empowered her aberrant ability like no other. Spiking and emboldening it. She could no longer hide it from her family.

Fiery Kitsune (WIP)

Race : Kitsune
Class : Kineticist (Fire & Aether) + Oracle [Flame Mystery + TBD Curse]
Stat Array : Str 12-2, Dex 18+2, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 14+2
Traits : Reactionary (+2 Init), Suspicious (Sense Motive is class skill and +1), Fate's Favored (luck bonuses increased by 1)

Family Role : Aunt
Battle Role : Spry Kitsune who runs around the battlefield with hit and run tactics, switching between ranged & melee blasts. Also providing healing with her divine spells.

Bio : Character traveled to the stolen lands, encountered some fey. Was entrusted to kitsune power and changed. Returned to family and proved she was who she said she was. Joined for Arkoian battle, corrupted by his essence and now becoming a dom of an evil kitsune as her power (and tails) grows more. (Will write this out in more detail later).

[Zaer Darkwail]

Hmm.  The character concept I had in mind for the first idea was for a formerly-human daughter (or mother, if need be,) who had been transformed into a succubus by the energies unleashed by Akorian's destruction, but who would start the game not having realized that fact yet.  Essentially, she'd start the game under the effects of Change Shape, and would only realize what happened to her if something happened to tear away her disguise or otherwise enlighten her to her transformation.  Looking into the character creation rules in the first post, though, Succubus would pretty obviously not be one of the allowed races.

Is there any chance I could still make this concept work, or should I see what else I can come up with, instead?

Well, if you make the mother I could make the father (who will be a human). Another way how make your concept work is make tiefling with succubus ancestry (either openly been tiefling and energies awakening your latent ancestry darker urges or you turned from human to tiefling and somehow have constant disguise effect active on your body; like disguise self or alter self). Sort subconsciously using magic or magic item to hide your true appearance.

Edit; OR alternatively one side of your gestalt presents ascending to become 'succubus alike' in having entered Demoniac PrC and having suitable demon lord for obedience, example Nocticula or Socothbenoth.

Likely build one side to be some sort caster (full or partial) and other skill monkey/martial based.

[Kimera]

I was thinking for my character application to give the oozemorph shifter archetype a try. I would play it out as part of the corruption of the first storyline. Can fit any family slot and can use any race, since that gets overwritten by the class somewhat.

Starting at level 8 also takes care of most of the drawbacks of the class.

[Kunoichi]

Well, if you make the mother I could make the father (who will be a human). Another way how make your concept work is make tiefling with succubus ancestry (either openly been tiefling and energies awakening your latent ancestry darker urges or you turned from human to tiefling and somehow have constant disguise effect active on your body; like disguise self or alter self). Sort subconsciously using magic or magic item to hide your true appearance.

Edit; OR alternatively one side of your gestalt presents ascending to become 'succubus alike' in having entered Demoniac PrC and having suitable demon lord for obedience, example Nocticula or Socothbenoth.

Both of those suggestions do seem like potential options for playing the concept while also following the rules for character creation.  I can't help but feel that just using the Succubus stats and having the 8 racial HD on one side of my build would be a much simpler option mechanically, though.  I was planning to have the other half of my build be the Zealot class from Path of War, so I'd be primarily a melee/party support character with some telepathic ability, rather than marrying the extreme Charisma of a Succubus to something like a Sorcerer or Bard.

Thinking along those lines, another option could be to play as a half-fiend or use a third party source for an Alu-Demon (half-Succubus), or to have been one before getting transformed into a true Succubus by Akorian's death, any of which would remove the need for a disguise.  That would definitely make my character more fit to be a daughter, though, and likely one with a somewhat involved backstory where a Succubus seduced the father or mother and had her for some nefarious plan that the family as a whole later foiled.  She'd be more of a moody teenager who struggles with feeling like an outsider to her own family, at least until this artifact binds them all together in ways they'd never have even considered before...

[pdragon]

As for my character concept I was thinking of having a daughter who was originally a monk/unarmed fighter, and the Litch's power taints their blood, causing them to start to mutate and "devolve" into a beast (ala bloodborne). They would become a bloodrager/shifter that would take the weretouched archetype and be able to morph into a

weretiger

or alternatively a weretiger's stats re-skinned as a more

demonic

looking beast if that would fit with the more supernatural/undead theme better. They'd have to deal with their more primal nature starting to take control, turning the once refined heroine (especially if they were a calm, clear headed monk previous) into more of a monster day by day, and be conflicted over losing their humanity (or whatever "-ity" they would be, the race would be really flexible on this one). Also due to how openly monstrous and savage their transformation looks they'd be a big ol' sign saying "hey something's fucked up here" to all of their allies, and they'd probably be one of the first to come under scrutiny.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Thinking along those lines, another option could be to play as a half-fiend or use a third party source for an Alu-Demon (half-Succubus), or to have been one before getting transformed into a true Succubus by Akorian's death, any of which would remove the need for a disguise.  That would definitely make my character more fit to be a daughter, though, and likely one with a somewhat involved backstory where a Succubus seduced the father or mother and had her for some nefarious plan that the family as a whole later foiled.  She'd be more of a moody teenager who struggles with feeling like an outsider to her own family, at least until this artifact binds them all together in ways they'd never have even considered before...

I would be fine play father who got tricked by succubus and it resulted in a daughter which he later took in to rest of family but she feels outsider of sorts :). Albeit up to GM decide is third party sources, path of war or other ideas okay.

[Stendarr]

I've expanded character creation guidelines to clarify some things. I'd like everyone to re-read that part so that we're all on the same page.

Make sure that when you're making your character that they fit logically into what the plot has already established.

Also, I'm trying to come up with a name for the bloodline that the PCs will be a part of, but everything I think of I start to hate. So suggest some names!

Hmm.  The character concept I had in mind for the first idea was for a formerly-human daughter (or mother, if need be,) who had been transformed into a succubus by the energies unleashed by Akorian's destruction, but who would start the game not having realized that fact yet.  Essentially, she'd start the game under the effects of Change Shape, and would only realize what happened to her if something happened to tear away her disguise or otherwise enlighten her to her transformation.  Looking into the character creation rules in the first post, though, Succubus would pretty obviously not be one of the allowed races.

Is there any chance I could still make this concept work, or should I see what else I can come up with, instead?

Read the blurb I added about the extent of character transformation due to the corruption in the first post.

For now, my main go-to idea is son/brother with a arcanist/investigator (though I'm debating vigilante or monk instead of investigator in my head) gestalt build.  As mentioned before, I'm preferential to playing him NG, and possibly a former human who had a fiendish taint that got completely unlocked from exposure to the artifact, making him into a (rakshasa-spawn) tiefling and is trying to cope with his new-found animal instincts.

Myth-weaver sheet to follow.

I made a note about alignment in the first post under character creation rules.

Mechanically he seems fine so far, but I'm a little more concerned with the non-mechanical side of things for now.

For the intent of application purposes, do you want us building the full character sheet? Or is the basic information you provided enough?

I'm much more concerned with non-mechanical things for now. It doesn't hurt to have a character sheet, but I want characters that are going to fit together foremost. After I pick players we can worry about making sure the characters are mechanically sound. Although it's probably a good idea to give a general idea of what your character does mechanically for purposes of synergy with other players.

As for my character concept I was thinking of having a daughter who was originally a monk/unarmed fighter, and the Litch's power taints their blood, causing them to start to mutate and "devolve" into a beast (ala bloodborne). They would become a bloodrager/shifter that would take the weretouched archetype and be able to morph into a

weretiger

or alternatively a weretiger's stats re-skinned as a more

demonic

looking beast if that would fit with the more supernatural/undead theme better. They'd have to deal with their more primal nature starting to take control, turning the once refined heroine (especially if they were a calm, clear headed monk previous) into more of a monster day by day, and be conflicted over losing their humanity (or whatever "-ity" they would be, the race would be really flexible on this one). Also due to how openly monstrous and savage their transformation looks they'd be a big ol' sign saying "hey something's fucked up here" to all of their allies, and they'd probably be one of the first to come under scrutiny.

I'm going to make a note about the extent of transformations due to the corruption in the first post.

I don't think very obvious physical conditions will work with the way I'd like the story to go, so be wary of that as well.

Pretty much. So long as there's any chance of the character noticing the effect IC, yeah, I'd expect just about any possible character outside of complete madmen to immediately dedicate everything to freeing themselves and retaliating. And if there's explicitly no such chance, then it amounts to starting the campaign with "you lose no matter what you character is/did/will do, enjoy watching them being screwed over without knowing and being unable to ever do anything about it".

That feels a little bit pessimistic. The players aren't losing in any sense of the word. You could argue that the characters are, but I don't see how that's a bad thing for player enjoyment. The point is to create characters that are you want to see go through this dilemma. It's not like characters are being built with the notion of absolute goodness and heroics are having their purpose stripped.

[Kunoichi]

Read the blurb I added about the extent of character transformation due to the corruption in the first post.

Right, so theoretically the Alu-Fiend idea could work, but it's probably better if I just forget about that concept entirely and come up with something else that fits the story better and that I might enjoy playing.  I'll see if anything comes to me over the next few days.

[Stendarr]

Right, so theoretically the Alu-Fiend idea could work, but it's probably better if I just forget about that concept entirely and come up with something else that fits the story better and that I might enjoy playing.  I'll see if anything comes to me over the next few days.

Always willing to help figure something out.

[Kunoichi]

Thank you.  I'll definitely be asking for help with the mechanics if I get selected for the game.  I'm a lot more familiar with 3.5 D&D than I am with Pathfinder in that regard.

[indarkestknight]

I strongly recommend NOT picking a class that has more than one summon or other things to keep track of/manage. Anything more complex than a druid will deter me from selecting you.

Damn. Was really looking forward to the synergy between bard and summoner. Back to the drawing board.

Maybe a bard/ex-paladin (vindictive bastard archetype)? Used to follow Shelyn, but, between the newfound corruption taking root and choosing loyalty to his family over loyalty to his faith, he falls? Maybe eventually comes to the faith of the Redeemer Queen, Nocticula, or possibly something darker. Fiercely protective of the family.

Thinking something like a glaive-wielder, tends to spend the first few rounds casting support spells like haste and good hope, then uses vindictive smite on anyone who's hurt the family? Outside of combat, heavy focus on Charisma-based skills and liberal use of charm, suggestion, and glibness. Really, though, it comes down to party comp. If we're short on frontliners, I may rework...

Not especially picky on whether he'd be a brother/son or father/husband or uncle/cousin.

[Kimera]

Thank you.  I'll definitely be asking for help with the mechanics if I get selected for the game.  I'm a lot more familiar with 3.5 D&D than I am with Pathfinder in that regard.

Could go for a tiefling with a seducer witch variant. Uses charisma instead of wisdom and gets a couple seductive abilities ^^

[Ryu Wojin]

Thank you.  I'll definitely be asking for help with the mechanics if I get selected for the game.  I'm a lot more familiar with 3.5 D&D than I am with Pathfinder in that regard.

If I'm chosen along with you, you can always ask me for help regarding building the character or help doing whatever. Mythic and gestalt can get overwhelming easily

[Petrus02]

Name Feena/Ferrus
Race Half Elf
Age 20
Sex Female
Class Magus(kensai)/ Unchained Monk

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Sidenote: I don't want to cause an argument here, I know there is a distinct discussion on pf forums about using spell combat + flurry of blows, but i don't care about that part. i will simply use either flob OR spell combat, not both in one round, unless GM is explicitely positive about this (and may revoke that any time of course).

Link
Family Role Child (Daughter or Son as needed)
Combat Role Evasion Tank/Support Damage Dealer/Support Caster
Outside Combat Roles Scout/support knowledge Character
(Sexual) Orientation Character is currently seeking
Art

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

https://bestofcomicbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Leafa-hot-bikini-photo.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/8619/28170823534_d0981fa713_b.jpg

Stats Base + Race/lvlup/other +(magic item) = total
Str :10 + 0 + (0) = 10
Dex :14+ 0 + (2) = 16
Con :14 + 0 + (2) = 16
Int :18 + 4 +(2) =24
Wis 16 + 0 + (2) = 18
Cha 12 + 0 + (0) = 12
AC (explained for ease of understanding)
10(base) + 2 armor (bracers of armor) +3 (dex) + 1(dodge) +0 or 3 natural armor (barkskin) +2 deflection (Ring of Protection) + 7 (canny defense from kensai) + 2(Monks flat AC bonus) + 4 (Monks Wisdom to AC) = 31 or 34 depending on barkskin active or not
CMD (added and explained for ease of understanding)
10(base) + 8 (bab) + 3 (dex) +8 (dodge bonus) +2 (deflection) + 2 (monks flat bonus) +4 Monks Wisdom to AC bonus = 37 + any other dodge bonus that might happen such as mobility, just out of reach and defensive spin.

background/Personality (text prone to being rewritten, albeit the core information won't change)
Feena is the offspring of her father's interlude with an attractive female elven adventurer. She soon grew into a dependable young woman, taking the frontline at the fight, always trying to protect everyone, even volunteering to do scouting missions. She is bright albeit curious to a fault, always optimistic and utterly devoted to her family, to the point where she won't resist even the most rediculus requests. She has  an decidedly strong trait of distrusting strangers, something her family usually teased her with. When the Lich's phylactery was destroyed, she found that she had suddenly the ability to cast magic - which cast her into a deep confusion, as she also found herself being able to turn into the opposite sex. In response she recently changed her patron deity from Shelyn to Arshea the patron of those who are seeking to find their own way.
She was raised and trained by her mother who retired from adventuring to guard the mysterious elven realm of Kyonin, only joining her father and the rest of her family when she turned 15. This gave her a splendid education, but left her a stranger to the the ways of the world somewhat. Another trait of hers is, that she is exceedingly torn between two roles she'd like to play. For one, she likes to picture herself as secretive and silent, yet on the other hand she can't say no to her family, and can't hold her mouth shut if she truly thinks a plan of hers would benefit them, going on explaining everything to the best of her ability.

Rough first outline. Anyone interested in discussing Connections?

edit: just saw that canny defense is a dodge bonus. changed that. nothing really changed, but a few numbers were changing places. just for those who wonder.
Edit no.2:  I'm open to changing race if necessary, but i'm completely against playing any animal themed race like the ape/frog/rat- or birdpeople. werehumans are okay. As are tiefling or asimaar.

[Zaer Darkwail]

If I'm chosen along with you, you can always ask me for help regarding building the character or help doing whatever. Mythic and gestalt can get overwhelming easily

Same here, I have created mythic char to high level game with multiple tiers and it can go intense .

[Mister Ugly]

Should the characters for the story aspect all have had a family race that is close.. Example Human, half elf, half orc and elf could all have been a family unit to start.
A human, and a gnome might be a tad bit harder... I suppose they could be married but I gathered the family was directly related and had no husbands/wives.

I have an idea for a character who was the grandfather [retired fighter] that was convinced to return to help with the lich...he would have been human but after the 'curious essence poured forth' and nights rest he has been changed to a Teifling with the 'Pass for human' racial trait. Also a shift in his age has happened he is still 60+ but when it had been aged for human he is now an adult again and has regained his youthful looks and build.
I also can see hIm becoming more teifling like later..ie loose the 'pass for human' trait.

looking at one of these images

Which do ya all like?

MU


After an indepth review I can see shifting to tielfing may not work so will stay a human but if allowed he has gotten younger again!

[Zaer Darkwail]

Name Ranar Crowguard
Race Human
Age 45
Sex Male
Class Magus (Bladebound&Hexcrafter)/Evangelist of Socothbenoth|Fighter (Swordlord)
Link to sheet
Family Role Father (or uncle/eldest son)
Combat Role: Front line defensive fighter, support caster and debuffer (hexes/curses)
Outside Combat Roles: Scout/Survivalist
(Sexual) Orientation Heterosexual

Art

Stats Base + Race/lvlup/other +(magic item) = total
Str :14 + 0 + (0) = 14
Dex :18+ 2 + (0) = 20
Con :14 + 0 + (0) = 14
Int :16 + 2 +(0) = 18
Wis 10 + 0 + (0) = 10
Cha 12 + 0 + (0) = 12
AC: 25 (+3 when using combat expertise, +2 when doing full attack with dueling sword, +2 shield bonus while wielding dueling sword, +4 fight defensively)
OOC: Idea is that Ranar is not aware he is now CE, has fiendish obligation and his curse seeks him fulfill the obligation (and make it feel very good and natural). He was magus/fighter gestalt with black blade already, but curse also added curse stuff for his magus side (and change his black blade from noble spirit to demonic one).

Background/Personality (text possibly rewriten whether char is uncle, father or even a son)
Ranar Crowguard was born in Rostland, land of swordlords. His father was renown duelist mentor, long lineage of heroes in the country and he taught everything he knew of the arts to Ranar, then Ranar set out travel the world and have grand adventures and do heroic deeds like his ancestors once did. Ranar was noble at heart, revering Cayden Cailean first most but also Shelyn and had much respect for his heroic ancestry (more so as he inherited the black blade which combined all past ancestor wielders into single entity in the blade). In his travels he had many dalliances, charming and handsome he drew attention of women all around Golarion until he settled down with a longtime adventuring companion, his wife and have lovely children with her.

Then, greatest campaign begun after when Ranar had supposedly retired (with wife and kids) and become swordsmith; Akorian the lich gathered army of undead near his home and he answered call for heroes. So did rest of his family as well, following his guidance he led them into battles and gathered comrades and organizations around the family to help battle the lich's hordes as they worked towards lich's capital. Inside ruined city he let his other comrades hold army of lich back as he and family confronted the lich and defeated the lich in battle.

But in aftermath, some dark energy from artifact coursed through him and rest of family. Thinking nothing of it, besides awe from invigoration and sense of power coursing through himself but he had been given growing dark urge, a dark taboo desire as he was inflicted with a insidious curse which makes him fulfill his dark obligation to a demon prince.....unawares his own soul has twisted by energies as well. He is same man as before, but now leaning more darker aspect of himself which he was not even aware existed in him. Soul is build both from light and dark sides and era of light in his soul has ended.

[Petrus02]

Should the characters for the story aspect all have had a family race that is close.. Example Human, half elf, half orc and elf could all have been a family unit to start.
A human, and a gnome might be a tad bit harder... I suppose they could be married but I gathered the family was directly related and had no husbands/wives.

I have an idea for a character who was the grandfather [retired fighter] that was convinced to return to help with the lich...he would have been human but after the 'curious essence poured forth' and nights rest he has been changed to a Teifling with the 'Pass for human' racial trait. Also a shift in his age has happened he is still 60+ but when it had been aged for human he is now an adult again and has regained his youthful looks and build.
I also can see hIm becoming more teifling like later..ie loose the 'pass for human' trait.

looking at one of these images

Which do ya all like?

MU


After an indepth review I can see shifting to tielfing may not work so will stay a human but if allowed he has gotten younger again!

I'd like the third one the most. maybe he got younger physically, but kept his "wise" appearance?

[Mister Ugly]

I Was leaning toward the 3rd one as well. I wanted a rough look.

I have a BIG!! question for everyone!

What do we want the family surname to be?
SO far Zaer has offer the name ... 'Crowguard'

Petrus just has the name 'Feena/Ferrus'!

I will offer this Surname; GABRIELUS  [means man of god-since the family are supposed to be good and honorable I feel it fits]

MU

[Petrus02]

thats a good question.  I've named my own character without a surname so far to wait for a consent . i'll sleep over this question tonight and will offer my own suggestion tomorrow.

[Kunoichi]

Crownguard springs to mind as a slight variation on Crowguard that might sound slightly more heroic.