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

[Ryu Wojin]

I don't think there's any point in picking exact family composition before an characters have been put forward. It'll probably have to be readjusted on the fly anyway based on who's available and who's compatible with whom.

True enough. Though I'm beginning to feel like it may be helpful to provide details to help the GM make that upcoming choice. Otherwise it's just basically us posting ideas and questions to go off of... Maybe like a form of on and offs, and initial character concepts?

[Stendarr]

Uhu

10+ people going for a 2-4 slot game. 

Bah, don't remind me. I'd run it twice to include more people, but I'm already running another game 

I don't think there's any point in picking exact family composition before an characters have been put forward. It'll probably have to be readjusted on the fly anyway based on who's available and who's compatible with whom.

Exactly.

True enough. Though I'm beginning to feel like it may be helpful to provide details to help the GM make that upcoming choice. Otherwise it's just basically us posting ideas and questions to go off of... Maybe like a form of on and offs, and initial character concepts?

Let's wait until we pin down exactly which story to roll with.

[Zaer Darkwail]

So the two story options are number 1 (lich curse inflicted hero family) and 2 which involves farmer family caught in a civil war (and invasion) where then they encounter artifact which empowers them. First one strongly hints on corruption and more evil leanings while second one is more wholesome and open ended what powers up the family (and how it influences them). Second story also gives place and situation where family is involved and gives idea that the family are origin wise farmers (so not used to having powers). In first one family is solidly a adventuring hero family and may have got 8th level powers already but then get lots of extra atop it.

[Tavarokk]

I'm not sure it's necessary to make up something overly complex as far as the premise goes. You could pick any contested territory depending on what kind of conflict you'd like us to get involved in (Taldor for civil war, Lastwall vs orcs and giants, Mendev vs demons, Minkai - because we had kitsune requests - for Jade Regent mess, etc), have a family be displaced by said conflict, possibly with casualties, and stumble into an ancient site somewhere in the wilderness. A relic of unspecified origin and nature is triggered, does its thing before going inert, and thusly armed the family in question sets out to do something about the source of their plight. All that remains is to pick the region and the starting point where they emerge back onto the map and we're good to go.

Barring that, having a squad of holy knights turned into vampires with extra power-up (except with all the inane superstition-based weaknesses tossed out with only straightforward vulnerabilities to sun, silver weapons and general anti-undead abilities left) could also be fun.

[Waldham]

For the family, the progeniteur can be an ancient hero or a noble with several bastards or step-brother/sister.

I imagine a shattered artifact that impregnated/cursed the ancient hero.

The stepbrother/sister or the scattered family gathered by the influence of the artifact.

The family has prophetic visions/dreams with incestuous sexual relations (perhaps as an occult ritual) about the pieces of this artifact.

[Stendarr]

Alright, here are the two final plots to pick from. Smaller details can still be tweaked after one is picked, but I have further plot details and twists planned for each so alterations will be limited.

Once one of these is decided on we'll move into particulars about who exactly the PCs are and I'll start accepting character ideas/sheets.

Let me know which you prefer.



A family, descendants of a bloodline of heroes that fight side by side with their blood kin, led a great campaign against a powerful Lich, named Akorian. During their campaign, the heroes discovered that Akorian had harnessed his abilities by harvesting latent power found within a hidden labyrinth that had previously hosted a powerful and sinister being. It was also discovered that Akorian had begun efforts to create a powerful artifact of unknown purpose.

After many months of arduous work, the family of heroes and their followers finally discover and fought their way toward Akorian's lair. While the heroes' supporting army held off the lich's forces, the family headed into the lair's depths alone, to confront Akorian once and for all.

After narrowly defeating him and destroying his phylactery, a curious essence poured from the destroyed vessel. The source of the lich's power found its way into the heroes. They felt invigorated by the phylactery's power, but the rejuvenation was accompanied by other stranger feelings. The heroes investigated Akorian's inner sanctum in search of the artifact. Once they finally found it they began to take the measures necessary to dispose of it safely. As they began their work, they found themselves unable to commit to the artifact's destruction. The heroes could sense the doubt among themselves. They knew something was amiss, but no matter the depth of the effort they took to rid themselves of the feeling, they found more and more that they desired to see the artifact completed. The heroes wished to be able to return to their friends triumphant, but it felt as if the artifacts completion had become their sole purpose.



Stavian III, ruler of Taldor had died, and Taldor's particular succession laws had left him without an eligible heir. His ambitious daughter and her supporters made a claim for the throne, but many oppose their rejection of Taldane tradition. The nation was plunged into a great civil war. To make matters worse, Qadira, a hostile nation bordering Taldor to the south, took the opportunity to attack the nation in its vulnerable state. The nation was ravaged and many of its resources were exploited to depletion. A significant number of the nation's families lost their homes and their loved ones.

A small family, fractured by the war's conflict, were struggling to survive. Their home had been destroyed and their neighbors were no more fortunate. As the months passed and the war showed no signs of stopping, the family's savings began to dwindle. In dire times they were forced to resort to scavenging and working disconcerting odd jobs. In their struggle, they grew even closer and developed the capability to defend themselves and each other.

One day they received a blessing. While searching the site of a battle fought long ago they came across a token of a deity's power. Though it was initially hard to believe, all doubts were erased when the family heard the deity's words spoken directly to them. By a magnificent stroke of luck or perhaps by the merit of their vertue they had been chosen to serve as the diety's servants. They were granted immense power and the responsibility of uniting their beloved nation and bringing peace to its lands.

[Tavarokk]

+1 for the second, although I'd recommend changing the deity's message to spreading its ideals/faith, with restoring order being the PCs own idea. Taldor's primary religions are all quite mainstream, so not overly invested in a single nation's fate, and the situation doesn't seem to be dire enough to intervene on principle.

[nomadsoul]

Hi all.  Sorry, I realize I'm a bit late to the party, but I've been playing catch-up after a bit of a hiatus.  Given as the topic matter contains two of my favorites, I'd love to apply if there's still room.

I'm happy to work with either story presented, since incest is at hand, but I'm slightly more partial to the second one (Taldor civil war), if mostly because it reminds me of the War for the Crown AP.

[Petrus02]

+1 for the first story. Still like the premisse

[Zaer Darkwail]

+1 for first story, albeit fine for second one as well.

[pdragon]

+1 for first story.

[Angie]

I'd prefer option 2, I do prefer lighter more heroic stuff.

[Stendarr]

Dang, votes are split down the middle right now. Although I might overrule the votes if it ends up being a close call anyway.

Hi all.  Sorry, I realize I'm a bit late to the party, but I've been playing catch-up after a bit of a hiatus.  Given as the topic matter contains two of my favorites, I'd love to apply if there's still room.

I'm happy to work with either story presented, since incest is at hand, but I'm slightly more partial to the second one (Taldor civil war), if mostly because it reminds me of the War for the Crown AP.

I'm always glad to have more attention. We haven't even started applications yet, so you're not too late.

+1 for the second, although I'd recommend changing the deity's message to spreading its ideals/faith, with restoring order being the PCs own idea. Taldor's primary religions are all quite mainstream, so not overly invested in a single nation's fate, and the situation doesn't seem to be dire enough to intervene on principle.

My idea for the deity was something more akin to a super beefed up shinto spirit whose purpose is to protect the land.

[Kunoichi]

Yeah, definitely don't be afraid to make your own call if it's close and there's one choice you're feeling more interested in running over the other.  I like both plots and even have character ideas for both, though I slightly prefer the first choice over the second.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Yeah, definitely don't be afraid to make your own call if it's close and there's one choice you're feeling more interested in running over the other.  I like both plots and even have character ideas for both, though I slightly prefer the first choice over the second.

Good advice, pick one which you as GM are most inspired to run. I favor first story (like always play bad guys as said) but I gladly run second story as well as it gives interesting flavor as well :).

[Petrus02]

i second what zaer said. I'd prefer first story over second, but i'll play both, and its definitely important that you as the GM has fun too, thus you should choose the story you are feeling more attracted to.

[Tavarokk]

The reason I wouldn't want to play the first is that the end goal that naturally follows from the premise is to destroy the artifact at any cost, and in a situation where we start under said artifact's control chasing that goal is all too likely to end up in feeling of helplessness, drama, intra-party conflict, necessary sacrifices and other such unpleasantness. Not to say that it's not an interesting plot in general, but not what I'm expecting from this campaign.

My idea for the deity was something more akin to a super beefed up shinto spirit whose purpose is to protect the land.

Makes sense, there's precedent for both fey and native outsiders acting in that capacity. Although those guys are usually below lvl 20 themselves. Well, it's not unheard of CR15-ish creature to have something like 'Wish once a year', which would've covered our case. Might need a reason why it's intervening now of all times - Taldor's history is ripe with conflict, and a spirit is probably not overly concerned with mortal politics in itself.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Makes sense, there's precedence for both fey and native outsiders acting in that capacity. Although those guys are usually below lvl 20 themselves. Well, it's not unheard of CR15-ish creature to have something like 'Wish once a year', which would've covered our case. Might need a reason why it's intervening now of all times - Taldor's history is ripe with conflict, and a spirit is probably not overly concerned with mortal politics in itself.

Unless said entity was once a mortal fro Taldor during it's glory days or that Taldor's fate plays a effect on grander scale of things beyond Taldor (in deific chess game where Taldor is just one piece but crucial piece which protects a king example and cannot afford sacrifice it).

[Petrus02]

And things acting as gods below CR 20 is because PCs can kill said things without needing to be level 20 or more themselves.  Theres even something of a spirit of the land like a manito and a shinto spirit in the bestiaries, and both are pretty high CR. all fine^^

[Zaer Darkwail]

Taldor's shinto or a kami could make sense :)

[Waldham]

A family, descendants of a bloodline of heroes that fight side by side with their blood kin, led a great campaign against a powerful Lich, named Akorian. During their campaign, the heroes discovered that Akorian had harnessed his abilities by harvesting latent power found within a hidden labyrinth that had previously hosted a powerful and sinister being. It was also discovered that Akorian had begun efforts to create a powerful artifact of unknown purpose.

After many months of arduous work, the family of heroes and their followers finally discover and fought their way toward Akorian's lair. While the heroes' supporting army held off the lich's forces, the family headed into the lair's depths alone, to confront Akorian once and for all.

After narrowly defeating him and destroying his phylactery, a curious essence poured from the destroyed vessel. The source of the lich's power found its way into the heroes. They felt invigorated by the phylactery's power, but the rejuvenation was accompanied by other stranger feelings. The heroes investigated Akorian's inner sanctum in search of the artifact. Once they finally found it they began to take the measures necessary to dispose of it safely. As they began their work, they found themselves unable to commit to the artifact's destruction. The heroes could sense the doubt among themselves. They knew something was amiss, but no matter the depth of the effort they took to rid themselves of the feeling, they found more and more that they desired to see the artifact completed. The heroes wished to be able to return to their friends triumphant, but it felt as if the artifacts completion had become their sole purpose.

The first,  in the hope that the character could counter the growing influence of the artifact.

[pdragon]

The reason I wouldn't want to play the first is that the end goal that naturally follows from the premise is to destroy the artifact at any cost, and in a situation where we start under said artifact's control chasing that goal is all too likely to end up in feeling of helplessness, drama, intra-party conflict, necessary sacrifices and other such unpleasantness. Not to say that it's not an interesting plot in general, but not what I'm expecting from this campaign.

I'm pretty sure the whole point of the plot is to set up an evil campaign. So destroying the artifact is in fact not the end goal. It's main purpose to steer the characters towards evil in the first place.

[ChaoticSky]

The second idea gets my vote.

[Tavarokk]

I'm pretty sure the whole point of the plot is to set up an evil campaign. So destroying the artifact is in fact not the end goal. It's main purpose to steer the characters towards evil in the first place.

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.

[Ryu Wojin]

Yeah, definitely don't be afraid to make your own call if it's close and there's one choice you're feeling more interested in running over the other.

For Real, GM interest is very important.

My vote would be for the first story though.