So, let's get to it.

1. starting at 3rd level

2. it is a gestalt game, most options open from most books, just try not to go too OP

3. all characters must be approved

4. each player is responsible for keeping up with their character's details

5. for starting attributes you have two choices
   A. 17, 16, 15, 13, 12, 12
   B. 80 points, minimum attribute of 12, maximum attribute of 18 +/- racial modifier

6. a character build must match the character concept and backstory

7. a good character backstory is worth some type of bonus as it provides GM with ammo

8. starting wealth of 250 gp, 200 sp, 150 cp, and gemstones/jewelry worth 50 gp

9. five starting magic items per character
   A. up to +2 bonus/2nd level spell effect
   B. only one 'type' of magic item unless a potion or weapon, you can 3 of these

10. starting gear is to be bought with your starting wealth, you aren't rich yet

11. walking is cheaper than mounts, or buy your own out of your starting wealth

12. you have 1 xp greater than what is needed for 3rd level

please address all questions about character creation to this thread only.

if you aren't happy with a decision that i make after we have discussed until we are blue in the face, then feel free to call 1-888-NOT MY PROBLEM.

Okay so question about the magic items,

Are they functionally free in this regard? You say +2 bonus/2nd level effect but what is that practically? I think a hard limit on the cost of the item might be better, and +2/2nd level makes me think you mean somewhere in the 4-8k region (probably less!) which is fine but we need to pin down to help everyone decide what they're buying.

Example:
I'd likely buy a +1 weapon with an additional ability (Cruel in this case) which is a ~8,300gp magic item, a burglar's buckler which is ~4,300 and then likely a stat boosting item for my main stat (~4k) and a +1 suit of chain or a mithral shirt (~1.1-2.1k). No idea on a fifth item but you can see my concerns for my character would be to get it right for what you're intending. Like the weapon can be brought down to a +1 weapon instead and then everything is roughly in the 4.3k range or lower.

And then the mundane gear is bought with the 200gp and the silver etc etc?

it was mostly stated that way so that characters could start with items with proper 'feel' for the character.

if you would like a hard limit use 7,500 gp value
 still must be kept to max of a +2 bonus or 2nd level equivalent effect
 any left over value is lost, so if your items are worth 7,100 the other 400 is lost

any more questions just ask, I don't mind being flexible and I don't have to be a game dictator, just a GM with ambitions to run a fun game, have fun, and see the PC's driven before and hear the lamentations of the women.

Sounds good to me!

Me too, I like the easy nature of it and it lets us sort of figure out some key iconic items without being too crazy, and outfits us actually a bit better than we'd have at this level, no complaints from me!

Agreed. So I've finished my preliminary build, I'll slot some magic items and do a little shopping with my gold and then I'll present it for your judgement DM!

Are the unchained versions of monk, rogue and barbarian on the table? They're slight bumps in the abilities of the three classes away from 3.5 and towards being "on par" with the other Pathfinder classes. Rogue gets weapon finesse for free and some debuffing with sneak attack, Barbarian gets a damage and attack boost instead of a strength boost on rage so that ranged and dex barbarians can exist, and monk . . . I don't know what they get but I'll look it up and let you know. Don't think we have a monk but it might help for npcs, villains and cohorts/hirelings

Also are hybrid classes on the table? Things like Slayer, Swashbuckler, Brawler which are new classes made by combining two classes to fill in certain archetypes which the main classes don't? I think myself and Thamkis mostly would make some use of dipping into those for certain things, though Brawler might help Barg?

Working on my build will get it out as soon as possible.

So here is how I see it. You can use anything from the published works that doesn't blow the game out of proportion. Basically, anything I'm o.k. with. Just remember that it isn't exclusive to your characters, if you can use something to build a character then I can use it to build the NPCs with.

Are we allowed to stack items into one if the resulting item costs less than the maximum gold allowance?

Belt of Giant Strength with the Heavyload Belt for instance?

how you choose to do it is up to you. but I would advise against over utilizing a particular bonus so as not create a trick pony type of character. utility is as important as anything, so being amazingly good at one thing (or three) will not be as useful as being pretty damn good at many things.

remember that this is a play by post game so it will not run as precisely or as quickly as it would if we were all playing face to face at the table.

characters seem to be shaping up. i will work on some beginning needs; maps, plots to kill characters with, and some not very subtle subplots to mislead characters int debt-slavery.

Very nice, I'm working to complete mine but obviously spellcaster sheets are a little complex!

I would advise a nice little desktop folder full of notes, plans, and your character. Just copy and paste as needed. Plus it gives you the benefit of having it available for further use in other games by simply making new files in the folder for the current version being used in each game. let's you really explore a theme, idea, and/or concept.

looking good, I may need some reminding from time to time about how a particular spell or ability works, mainly for details to keep the narrative fresh. i have played or ran Pathfinder a handful of times before I got involved in running a long term dnd 3.5 campaign. I will be rereading many of the rules at his weekend as well. got to be sure I understand how to properly capture, mutate, exploit, and then kill all the characters. I mean create astounding and cinematic ally entertaining gameplay.

Honestly it sounds like you're going to be a good fit for our group!