Topic: Pathfinder wanted a new Adventure!

[Sabriel]

Hello

Myself and a friend (CharlieSariel) are looking to get involved in some pathfinder fun, we would like to try out one of  the adventure paths for this game and setting. We are looking to capture and experience the old feeling of a little group playing through an adventure path in a new world for the first time together. 

Now neither of us are by no means green to the ways of D&D but we would like to start with something new and fresh and give Pathfinder a try.   

So obviously we need someone who wants to run a Pathfinder game and is willing to do an adventure path, as to what happens after or in the long run that could be anything.  We would also like to keep the group small having no more than 4-5 players, all of whom must be committed to the story.

We would ideally like to do one of the following Adventure Paths:

Rise of the Runelords
Goblin raids on the coastal town of Sandpoint presage a growing danger in the ruin-choked wilderness of Varisia. An ancient evil stirs to waking life in the distant mountains, drawing crazed murderers, inbred ogres, warlike stone giants, and creatures fueled by the power of sin into an epic conflict destined to create a new generation of heroes!

Curse of the Crimson Throne
The city of Korvosa is perched on the edge of anarchy—the king is dead, and rumors whisper that his young queen might be responsible! This urban campaign of decadence and dark dealings casts the heroes against plagues, barbarians, riots, and worse!

Second Darkness
A strange shadow lurks in the sky above the city of Riddleport, and the doomsayers take it as a sign of the approaching end of the world! The true menace comes not from the skies above but the benighted passages of the subterranean Darklands, leading the heroes on a sweeping quest that begins in a star-struck city, weaves through ancient elven ruins, and unmasks the terrible secret of the dark elves!

Legacy of Fire
Long ago, two warring armies of genies fought on the slopes of Pale Mountain, and the world shook under the power of their wishcraft. Today, the armies are wakening, and one potent efreeti warlord is ready to pick up where he left off! This outrageous, inventive campaign takes the heroes to all corners of the desert land of Katapesh and beyond, with journeys to strange demi-planes and even the fabled City of Brass!

Council of Thieves
Once the seat of mighty Imperial Cheliax, the decaying metropolis of Westcrown now stands wrecked and ruined, haunted by mysterious shadow beasts and besieged by the agents of the nation's new diabolical rulers. Amid this chaos, a growing schism in the city's influential Council of Thieves threatens to tear Westcrown apart unless a new group of heroes rises from the ashes of empire to chart a new destiny for the lost souls of the city.

The story does not have to be based on one of these adventure paths we are quite willing to go with any plot or setting that any prospective Storyteller might come up with.

Thanks for reading

[PhantomPistoleer]

I am looking for another good D&D game.   Pencil me in for a spot as a fighter?

[Sabriel]

Sure, we will have to find a storyteller/dm first of course hehe 

I'm pretty sure we could use a Fighter too since well I think my friend has plans to play a Sorcerer and well I can go whatever way really. 

[Lunaris]

Oooooh! Pathfinder! I love me some Pathfinder, I do. In fact, I have a few characters I've crafted using that setting. That said...I was wondering if this will be freeform (but using the campaign stuff for flavor/direction) or...rule-based?

[Sabriel]

I would imagine that we will be using rules when needed since well doing it freeform would sort of at least for me make it a bit of a pointless exercise.  I mean one of the reasons we wish to do it is to experience pathfinder and try it out and get a feel for the whole thing.
 
 

 

 

 

[Lunaris]

Darn... I used to be able to do system stuff but my job has made me dumb (irregular sleeping patterns breaks my ability to deal with numbers). I wish you all well in this pursuit, though!

[RubySlippers]

I'm in don't hav access to the rules enough to play but its DnD-esque and a system game. Good enough for me.

[Sabriel]

Neat

I don't think having a strong grasp of the system itself will be important anyway and you can find the actual system detailed online anyway http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/

[Sabriel]

Updated and clarified that the story need not be an actual adventure path.

Still looking for a lovely ST   

[Tydorei]

I would like to be in a pathfinder game as well. Currently in a Kingmaker game and find myself liking the pathfinder classes.

[Kate]

I would be happy to be a story teller for Second Darkness.

With the following conditions

I)  I would be making fighting outcomes based on how well characters are roll played (and generally how good their character is for doing what they are attempting)
dice rolls would be for things outside of fighting.

II) I may occasionally god mode a character during a flight-fight response for plot related reasons.

[Sabriel]

OK well thanks :)

I am curious as to the second of your conditions as Id like to be sure what you mean, I think I have an idea but the way you have phrased it and your first condition sort of leads me to wonder.

II) I may occasionally god mode a character during a flight-fight response for plot related reasons.

[Kate]

Ok,

Say your character is very wise - strong will (not shaken easily).
You role play your character such that you doing things that are sensible and in-character for a scene,
and are resolved to stand your ground no matter what life throws at you
(you have orders or resolve to do so) then something unexpected happens (which normally wouldnt shake someone of high resolve) etc

Normally the role play would be
scene 1) - trees start collapsing around you etc - what do you do ?
Scene 2) you post = Stand my ground here look at my will save roll thing !
Scene 3) Willpower check - which is super high => problem

Also I may want you to run for plot reasons - not as a test of intelligence or wisdom

It would be me saying that trees start collapsing and you instinctively run back the way you came (it highjacks conscious thought). This I would do rarely but I may for plot play reasons (Ie i want that path to be blocked without it needing 3 scenes and 7 posts for different characters to do so, dont want to punish strong wisom rolls for high resolve characters nor kill off a character doing so)

System gaming is fine however there can be times the rolls and mechanics bog down a game.
Ideally I want fights to be fast furious and numerous - I post a scene of it beginning in detail - you post what your character is thinking of doing - i god-mode resolution (including phps saying your character may cast a spell without you choosing it) - then it ends - this "high-jacking" or "god-moding" characters is useful for system gaming for posts to stay interesting and not just mechanics - a good storyteller would only god-mode actions that character probably would do anyway (ie they are still in character), and likely will be "smart" decisions.

[Skystomp]

I'd be interested. Can I play a Ranger, with a rifle and/or pistols, from the Grand Dutchy of Alkenstar in the Mana Wastes. Or a Necromancer from Osirion?

[Kate]

condition three - no gun power.

Wanna shoot something ?
be a witch, get a crossbow or find some magic ring.

[Skystomp]

Ok, just saying it's part of the setting and the area the Ranger would have been from. I'll go Necro from Osirion then.

[fallensaviour]

could we choose classes from the advanced players guide playtest pdf?

[avorae]

I would be interested in playing. I've had a n idea for a dwarven fighter that I'd been wanting to try.

[CharlieSariel]

I have to say, Kate, that for the most part you seem like a really down-to-earth person with a solid set of ideas and a great grasp of what you want in a game, and how to run it, which is all for the good.

I'd really love to play a character under you as a DM, but I have to admit to a concern regarding the whole God-Moding thing.  I totally understand the need to occasionally assume basic actions outside of combat and as it pertains to day to day activities and sane actions that fit a character's personality, especially if they support the advancement of the plot.

My concern is reading the bit about occasionally losing control of a character during combat and having you decide what spells get cast (as an example).  I'd like to think that I put some serious effort into character decisions, and combat is one of those times where I value my decisions most, as I feel that conflict is the best way to develop a character's personality (whether it's fighting conflict or social).  Losing control of the character at that moment, I would feel like I had practically no input on how the campaign was developing, and what was happening elsewhere.  It would make me feel like little more than a puppet, parroting lines and doing what I was told.

I'm not saying that I'm utterly inflexible on that point, but I personally feel that some further discussion on that particular topic is kind of important.

So, in other words, just how often have you experienced the need to commandeer a character and dictate what they're doing in the past?  Do you do so only in cases where the actions are immensely contradictory to character and circumstance, or do you do so just in order to end a combat in a specific manner?  Is it a situation where, because you know vulnerabilities and whatnot, you choose to help out the players, or do you do it to hinder, in order to maintain control of combat flow?

Please forgive the litany of interrogations, but it's really the only sticking point that prevents me from leaping up and down with hand waving say "Ooh ooh pick her!"

If you'd prefer to discuss such things privately, please feel free to PM me, and I will respond (all PMs relating to this game will be shared with Sabriel, FYI).

Hope I haven't put you off the idea 

[Kate]

i understand your point charlie.

I feel for this to work combat must be fast and furious - having a battle scene resolved in 1 post per player plus 2 for the storyteller (1 to set the scene) one to resolve it is a must.

How can I do this without godmoding ? Simple - in the players post they specifiy the things they will do if things turn out advantagous for them or otherwise - ideally enough of an idea that I can resolve things in the next post without assuming anything - that is an ideal world - if they DONT i want to god-mode. So if you like supercontrol - thats ok Im happy if your post is "I will attempt a fireball but if hat doesnt clear out this problem I will run, but if it does work I will follow up with this,

OR

In the character sheets of each character - there is a section of that lists of things that you feel your character would do in general circumstances - ie typical actions when evading, attacking. Characters that find themselves god-moded in a way that is detriemental (ie it annoys them) will often find out why in the next post (ie to open up a plot option)... and likely "rewarded with luck" in the next encounter for me highjacking such liberties.

Godmoding i would usually do to "fastforward" through time (key strategic points however would be all choices).

[RubySlippers]

Well I can get the rules on-line and I like your rules Kate. Just need to decide on character creation dice rolling or point buy.

Classes they are all nice but lets say a Fighter.

[fallensaviour]

could we choose classes from the advanced players guide playtest pdf?

cause i really wanted to play me some summoner

[Skystomp]

And Lo, the Fallen shall be known forever more as... Legion.

Summoner is freaking awesome class. Looking through the other stuff... alchemist has promise.

[Kate]

i have been looking at a few other dm's approach to combat scenes for elli in a d and d format - and some outright god mode all of it. Shades of grey i can tolerate (in light of what is above). I think it makes sense if MOST of a characters role playing is either non-combat. I don't like god-moding, but I hate game-mechanics choking things more - it can result in posts being just game mechanics - which i think removes from the story more than anything.

Its not my call if i am the storyteller for this - it is up to the two who started this thread to choose one.

There may be other storytellers out there that are more appropriate for their intentions than i

[RubySlippers]

Seems fine to me to post contingencies and you decide how things go doing die rolls that reminds me of a PBEM I was in ,snail mail, awhile ago.

Its not hard say your doing something like ,say, having a rogue sneak up and fire on the leader of a party then try to relocate not anything you will do get there and if something goes wrong how your going to handle it. Then she uses the character sheet and your characters actions to figure out what happened. I would normally have a few standing orders like "Will always use Bleeding Attack and Power Strike on a Melee Sneak Attack".

Its not in my view godmoding its her resolving the round based on your plans and defaults.

[Sabriel]

I don't really think it is Godmoding as such either myself, I only really wished to better understand what she meant as I was not sure of what was implied by the use of that term.  I suspected that it would be things like she suggested and her methods are not so dissimilar to what I have experienced and seen myself in the past.   I think that they also do make some sense given the nature of forum based things. 

We would love for Kate to run things if she wishes to do so still, I have sent a pm but I figured an actual post here should be made also to keep everything up to date with whats going on.

[CharlieSariel]

I do rather agree.  This form of "Godmoding" is quite acceptable, so long as player input is looked into.  That's really all I was concerned about, and Kate's answered to that rather adeptly.

I'm seconding Sabriel's comment about wanting Kate to be our DM.  Given what she's said so far, she seems ideal  ^_^

[Kate]

Allowed books / references = Those that either charlie and Sabriel hyper-link which are also free-to-use net items without subscription backdrops ...

If a reference can't be accessed it with one mouse click - its banned from relevance.  Period.

Players who are accepted = those that charlie and Sabriel agree to. (not me).
Accepted Players: MUST have alignments compatible with others playing.
Backgrounds: MUST include references to how they are knowledgeable of 2 others in the group,
the specific two can not be shared by another.

Start level 9 = inclusive of racial adjustments.
Starting gold - standard for level 9 - feel free to use it to have magical items - no need for a character story behind them.

I trust those charlie and Sabriel chose are ones smart enough to figure out why I impose these conditions

[RubySlippers]

I'll put my hat in as a fighter, just a fighter, they are scary but leave race open for now.

(No I won't do a drow elf with two scimitars ...  )

Leaving my options open but will be a compatable alignment and likely neutral or lawful neutral they tend to get along with folks.

[Sabriel]

OH great 

I have a few ideas for characters and I know Charlie has something in mind too.

Here is an online collection of the rules and bits available. http://www.d20pfsrd.com/


What kinds of races/classes would others be thinking of playing right now ?
 

[Pandamonium]

I'm not sure how much of a problem this is gunna be but I've never played DnD, I'm interested to play though 

[RubySlippers]

OH great 

I have a few ideas for characters and I know Charlie has something in mind too.

Here is an online collection of the rules and bits available. http://www.d20pfsrd.com/


What kinds of races/classes would others be thinking of playing right now ?
 

Fighter it may be simple but they have one advantage no one in the game is better at pure combat with weapons, other than no drow elves with two scimitars I'll letting race float for now.

[Skystomp]

Mmmm toss up between a 1/2 Ogre Barbarian/Shadowdancer and a Saurian Druid...

[Sabriel]

I thought I would add some info about what me and CharlieSariel are sort of planning to play, our current concept that we have been discussing and are in the process of creating is for a rather unusual pair of adventurers.

CharlieSariel is plotting to play a Kobold Sorcerer, not much else I know other than that yet.

I on the other hand am planing to play a rather strange goblin Alchemist, now we won't be the stereotypical creatures of this type, in fact we are planning to be a sort of local oddity in the way that our history together is one of a sort of unusual team of outcasts that has come together to try fit in some niche in the city of Riddleport.     

I am not sure as to the backstory of her character yet but mine never really grew up in her own society and has thus learned from others and has little in common with other Goblins. 

One of the key elements about both our characters is that they wish to fit into the society of riddleport, to this means over the years they have gone from eking out an existence in the gutters and derelict buildings, to attempting to set up rickety cart stalls where they can peddle there wares and services to others.  Nowdays they actually have what may even be considered a worthwhile shop, owning a grand house in the port city which serves as there home and a shop. I should note that the shop itself is more a place that mundane people would go rather than adventurers, there is not by any means a suggestion that they are stockpiling magical items.  But as an Alchemist and a Sorcerer it is how they ply there trade, most of the stuff sold will likely be nonsense and brick a brak, although obviously if you know how to ask for certain services and have the coin they perhaps can be supplied.

Now that all might make it sound like the pair don't ever leave the city but that would be untrue the shop is just there home and base of operations.  It could also obviously serve as a home to the party.     

Anyway as a guideline my character is going along the alignment way of Chaotic Neutral.   

Anyway I will post up a more detailed version of her when I have compiled her story a bit better and have some more input from others. 

If there is any issues with anything so far Kate please say so, our choice of race is not a must and we had both discussed other things anyway, but seeing as you had opened the door on other races we thought we would go with this idea.

[RubySlippers]

Kate said one click on the web site that would leave out most non-common races unless she changes her mind. Goblins and kobolds are not that. I like them but not sure if its ok with the kindly DM.

I've changed my concept I want to play a half-elven fighter and rogue combo, taking rogue at 1st level so using the 9th level (?) starting level we likely we are looking a practical character that can sneak around or beat in heads as needed - or both. With a smaller group one has to think practical options to. Alignment will be LN or N.

[Sabriel]

Yeah you may be correct and well if that is what she means then Ill be happy to go with one my other ideas 

Id think that she probably meant however that everything should be contained in a site that can be accessed by one click or that any reference from that site could be linked as a one click thing.

Like this hehe

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-lists-and-details/-k/kobold

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-lists-and-details/-g/goblin

I could be wrong of course which is one the reasons why I have provided info on our current concept we are working on so we can change it to fit if appropriate. 

Once we have a good idea what we will have for the party so far I may change it anyway if we are lacking something crucial.
 
 

[RubySlippers]

I love the characters they are great ideas. I tend to be more vanilla in character creation its easier and Pathfinder has many options along basic character classes.

I did toy with a half-ogre monk though. Think scary. 

[Sabriel]

I can understand that, I am usually very vanilla in my selection of race I usually end up playing a human just so the race is represented in the party. I also tend to play Wizards a lot,  although that's probably something ill avoid playing this time.

Hopefully we will find out soon what sort of group we will have, so I can change if need be, I think Charlie is pretty set on being a Sorcerer something or other though.

 

[Skystomp]

For the record, 1/2 ogre monk = awesome.

So what we have so far, Alchemist, Summoner, Fighter and Sorcerer?

I'll go with Druid, that at least will cover some of the healy parts.

[Callie Del Noire]

Need a rogue? I'm thinking sneaky human, goblin, or half-breed of some sort.

[RubySlippers]

Well I'm thinking of a half-elf fighter/rogue maybe but if you want to be a rogue I'll go with a fighter, can't beat the games master of weapons. That and they get so many feats its just sick. 

Still will be likely LN or N.

[Callie Del Noire]

Ruby.. pick which you want and I'll take the other. (Didn't want to step on your warrior idea earlier.. you jumped in first.. feel free to choose which you want)

[Sabriel]

A Rogue would be useful of course.

[RubySlippers]

Well I'm not sure of the starting level here but I'll play a fighter may not be fancy but they are just wrong in their own way. Race though I'm leaving open there are many options from halflings to ratlings to elves to half-ogre.

Depends on how we are doing stats and what ,if we roll, what I roll.

[Callie Del Noire]

The specs are posted a little further up...

Level 9, inclusive of racial levels.

[RubySlippers]

Point buy or dice rolling I didn't see which one Kate is using, maybe I missed it?

I have some character ideas though.

[Callie Del Noire]

Hmm.. thinking Half Orc or Tengu Rogue.. (given the outsider races I'm seeing ) Maybe Kobold depending on the generation method.

[Skystomp]

To bad you can't be a Changling from Eberron. It's just wrong in so many ways.

[Kate]

point buy 34 points.

Hey ixy was keen on joining any have issues if she does?

[Sabriel]

I can't think of any reason at all why there should be an issue.

:)

[RubySlippers]

No she can't play with us.

(lol)

Just trying to be contrary really its fine with me.

[Ixy]

Okay then   I've written up a half-elf Sorceress (Abyssal bloodline) at level 1 using the 34-point buy and with 2 traits.  I'll re-touch it tonight and post whenever you guys are ready.  Thanks again for the opportunity!

[Callie Del Noire]

34 point buy and 9th level (Level adjustments included right?)

[Skystomp]

Yuppers!

[Kate]

level adjustments are included.

Standard starting cash for level 9 - no need to justify magic items in background - no percentage limit on any one item.

[Kate]

I will manage an occ / character thread and ic tonight.

Please - if possible can you have a photo-realistic pic for your character
it makes it more beleivable.

3d fantasy characters or painted pics are ok as long as its not cartoony.

[Ixy]

Does this work?   Everything is from http://www.d20pfsrd.com/.  Please let me know if the picture's ok, too.  :)
Valis, Half-Elf Sorceress of Abyssal Blood

[Kate]

ixy that pic is fine - as it is psuedo realistic.

She looks cute also:)

[RubySlippers]

My character is almost done ...

She's big, she's bad, sheis the big dumb fighter with the pair of bastard swords ...

And a half-ogre ...

Sheeeeeeeessssssssss Bunta!

Who also likes to draw and garden even a half-ogre needs hobbies she just is not very good at either.

Not sure of a partron deity I was thinking a nice one that will give her a decent afterlife - Selune or Sune might be interesting options.

Kate I can't think of a pic though she is a average looking 7'6" tall half-ogre, they are kind of hard to find pics of.

[Callie Del Noire]

I got the same problem..Ty my Kobold Rogue isn't the type which lends itself to pictures.

[RubySlippers]

Another player found one.

http://i.imgur.com/mTRPh.jpg

Not perfect but looks intimidating enough. As for a patron deity I chose Selune she is pretty open minded and has nice followers that tend not to be judgemental. And she likely would befriend the clergy since they like her and the goddess is nice to her by default.

[Kate]

good work ruby - that pic is perfect

[Kate]

oh no materials are needed for spells that only
need something less than the value of 1 gp

[RubySlippers]

Getting done be ready by Sunday at the latest if nothing comes up. At least eqipping her should be easy.

I have a question I want to get my weapons a +1 cost ability its not in Pathfinder but in the Magic of Faerune, Sure Striking. Basically the weapon getting this can hit creatures as if it were a +5 weapon but doesn't get any other special benefits so the swords would be effectively for extra damage and bonuses to hit would be +1 but could hit most "magic weapon needed" creatures. I just would prefer a weapon my character not care to trade up and come on a matching bastard swords would be just cool. But I may need to hit say a demon at some point needing a better than +1 weapon to hit.

Two matched swords should cost me 18k gold doing them this way and like I said won't likely need any other ones, she would be able to hit most magical creatures.

Just asking and hoping. 

[Kate]

being an ogre your character is going to get a lot of "species-ism" her way, having something like that to make up for the social difficulties she is going to experience is ...

fair enough :)

[Sabriel]

I think most of the party is going to get a lot of "species-ism" so far

It looks like the group will be made up almost entirely of a rag tag band of outcastes, although I imagine that sort of makes sense in Riddleport, it is a port town frequented by Pirates.

I have had a hard time trying to find an image for a Female Goblin although I think I found the perfect thing now. 



I have pretty much finished with my sheet and only really need to finalise some equipment things and work out Hit points.   

Ixy I think mentioned the whole character trait, too and that reminded me are we going to be using them ?

If so that's another thing for me to note down on my sheet, I am sure I can find some that would fit my background.

[RubySlippers]

being an ogre your character is going to get a lot of "species-ism" her way, having something like that to make up for the social difficulties she is going to experience is ...

fair enough :)

Half-Ogre she is a medium creature even though 7'6" tall, a full ogre would not be as nice to deal with. And thankfully deities are far more accepting than their mortal followers. Still I forgot the game and setting I need to find a nice Pathfinder deity.

[Kate]

I was going to write my own story for the second darkness
(I have read many fanstasy books to have some idea of a plot, and have a really interesting idea)
If all are ok with that I will start and IC thread asap.

If others are only interested if i follow the published second darkness adventure say so ...

Character thread: http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=74196.0
OOC thread: http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=74195.0
IC thread: http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=74194.0

[Sabriel]

I don't mind the story being your own, I was sort of expecting that in some way anyway even if was based on the published adventure.

[Ixy]

Alright-- posting in the Character thread soon.  If it helps, here's a kobold sorcerer idea?  it's kind of a shaman, really, but who's to question a kobold, anyhow?

http://imgur.com/dZYht.jpg

Edit:
just realized that the last mention of kobolds was a rogue-- sorry :/  Here's a very generic one (could be cropped down or whatnot):
http://imgur.com/VQgDR

I've found other ideas, if anyone's looking.

[CharlieSariel]

Okay, just to touch base and make sure that we have a relatively good grasp on what's being generated and created, here's what I've understood people wanting so far:

Sabriel - Goblin Arificer
Charlie - Kobold Sorceress (Draconic Bloodline)
Ruby - Half Ogre Fighter
Ixy - Half-Elf Sorceress (Abyssal Bloodline)
Callie - Kobold (?) Rogue
Skystomp - Umm... ??

Am I vastly wrong on any of this?

[Sabriel]

Hehe Goblin Alchemist 

I think you where probably confused by what we was chatting about yesterday Charlie ^.^

[RubySlippers]

Half-ogre fighter is right made some changes decided to go for a basic greatsword as a specialty.

[Skystomp]

I'm going with the Suarian Druid. It fits in with their world view in my opinion.

[Kate]

first ic post is up

http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=74650.msg3256086#msg3256086

[Genbu83]

I seem to find all the pathfinder rps a bit too late.