And here we go.

Character creation and house rules:

4d6 drop lowest, re-roll any 1s you are getting. Characters start with 3 traits instead of 2.

We will be using background skills and consolidated skills. Performance is an adventuring skill for bards and the like, a background skill for everyone else. Sleight of Hand is an adventuring skill for a rogue and similar, a background skill for everyone else. Handle Animal is an adventuring skill for druids and rangers, a background skill for everyone else. All knowledge skills unless not grouped with adventurer skills are background skills, and you can make some up if you want, as in Craft Kites or Knowledge Horsebreeding etc.

Knowledge Local for regions you have spent at least a month in is at +1, 2 month at +2. A region is defined as an area of interest you regularly pursue.

Attributes cannot exceed 18 at character creation. This includes racial bonuses. The one exception is if you'd manage to roll 18 on all attributes,something which happened before in a table game. Every uneven level,the limit goes up by 1. This way, there will be more balanced characters.

Archetype characters may take one of the switched out abilities of their main class as if it was a regular feat twice. Once you do this, you can no longer multiclass.

Feat economy

Feats which are required for other feats with the same bonus (as in Dodge is a prerequisite for Mobility and both give AC bonuses) are combined into a single feat with the highest bonus and effect as soon as you take the second feat. As in,you already have Dodge, now buy Mobility,and you get +5 to AC/AoOs. This frees up one feat slot. This feat slot can be used to buy a feat of a different type. So for example, in this case you can't pick another combat feat. Each level, you can do this once. You need to have the required level for the new feat, though.

Teamwork feats transfer to a character's ally (with few exceptions). This way they are more useful.

There are no exotic weapons in this campaign, the Empire is vast and sees all sort of things.

Intelligent undead can be affected by mind affecting spells.

Battle Rules:

Crits are autoconfirmed EXCEPT for class features, feats, racial traits, spells, or traits that activate on a critical hit. You still have to confirm normally to see if such special abilities apply the critical effect.

We will not be using iterative attacks. We will instead be using the Unchained rules including the mobile melee: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamem...g-iterative-attacks/

Called shots are optional.

You may climb up on a much larger opponent with a successful combat maneuver (such as climbing on an elephant during battle).  You may attempt to drag a rider from their mount with a successful combat maneuver vs their CMB or their Ride skill, whichever is higher. If successful, the rider lands in a square next to you.

When in battle, you'll see the AC to hit and I'll roll the first 3 attacks of your opponents in advance. You will roll your first 3 attacks in advance as well,so in case you can't post we can speed it along. You may use the attacks of your opponents to describe what's going on,where you or they've been hit, spell effects etc. For most normal opponents that should do.

Magic:

Druids need 5 rounds to heal, but heal +4 instead of +1. Druids can talk with all plants and animals.

Every spell can also be crafted as a ritual. You will need at least 5 min preparation per spell level (3 for 0-level) and at least 3 min to cast per level (1 min for 0-level). During casting time, you can't be interrupted. Spellcasters doing a ritual together may reduce time and difficulty. A ritual spell always has material components, and costs for material tends to be at least 1.5 times as high. You need to learn a ritual independently from a spell. Magic users learn rituals from various sources and will need at least a day downtime per spell level to do so.

Lightning magic reflects from surfaces, then using their remaining distance. They interact with water like normal electricity.

Fire magic interacts with the environment like normal fire in most cases. Spells which enable the caster to decide what's been hit can leave out plants, items and buildings as well, but not dust, gas or similar.

Familiars and animal companions will need their own character sheet and dice their stats. They level independently, with at least -2 levels to their bonded person. Thus, Improved Familiar is not available as a feat.

Spells like Light can be active several times, but nevermore than the level of the caster.

Arcane Spells above level 3 tend to drain mana from the environment. Roll 1d4 to see after how many rounds the same spell may be cast again. On a 4, there is no drain at all. Magic level 6 and above may drain the area for 1d6 rounds, again, on a 6 there is no drain at all. The renewal of a spell does not drain mana the same way, and for spells you renew in another place (as with fly or Invisibility) you don't need to pay attention.  The use of meta magic is a different mana pattern.

Classes using Mana points/spell points may recharge those while resting during the day for at leat an hour (1 point each 10 min)

If a lot of magic is thrown around, there is a 1 in 20 chance of mana burn out in the area. This is more of a fluff thing though, it would need an awful lot of magic for a burnout.

Divine magic users need not pray for specific spells level 3 or lower, they are just all available. For spells level 4 and up, they may pray to their god to change a spell they have requested. This take at least 3 rounds.

And important, spells in general have no alignment unless they are really vile. The intention of the user is important.

Magic item slot limits do not exist. Instead,each magic item has a mana point score. You can't carry more than 25+ character level in mana score. Also, some items aren't compatible at all, and if you try to wear 2 headbands, for example, bad and weird things might happen. You could, in theory, carry a lot of bracelets, amulets etc. Just be sure the auras match if you carry them in the same slot (as in same finger or neck) or be in for a surprise.


We will not be using XP, you will level up together at specific points in the story.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:03, Fri 25 June 2021.

So, right off the bat I'm thinking of playing one of the champion classes or archetypes.  Top three picks are a Dwarf Drifting Lotus Monk or Custodian Warden; or an Elf/Halfling/Gnome Matagot Wraith or Martial Hedgewitch.  Warden and Wraith both provide good options for a duo game, and the other classes are just fun.

Phorcys, what were you thinking?

BoD, are we starting at level 1, and can we take a drawback for a fourth trait?

In reply to Davtehprophet (msg # 2):

Yeah level 1 and a drawback is fine.

I'm perhaps as new to the Spheres as BoD, having played alongside them in games with more traditional PCs on my part.  I'm quite partial to full-progression casters, but want to make sure as a duo we're able to cover many of our gaps.  Still, that greatly depends on how tailored the game will be.  I'm leaning to a human Sphere Arcanist, though Sphere Hunter or Shifter of yet-to-be-determined archetype would be fun to play if we'd like to keep our magic level down a bit.

How often are we expecting our game to update?  Daily, more, less?

I could definitely do daily, maybe twice a day sometimes?  But I don't think that I'd like to go slower than once every other day/three times a week.

I've never actually looked at the sphere arcanist before, but having seen it, moldable talents is a fantastic ability for keeping our bases covered, and if I go with either support option the only thing we'd be seriously lacking in is full BAB, which is easily remedied in any number of ways anyway.

Agreed.  I do prefer active posting rates, but want to respect other folk's availability.

Do we have a preferred character sheet?  I know there are a number of them available, but perhaps BoD has a preferred one.

I haven't even looked at the sheets yet. I am still figuring out the site.

In reply to Book of Days (msg # 8):

Ah ... not a worry.  Here's one I've used before with other games that's posted in an RPoL library for such things.  Maybe it'll do.


Pathfinder


PATHFINDER Character Sheet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name  : xxxxx               | Race  : xxxxx            | Height: x'x"
Player: xxx                 | Gender: xxxx             | Weight: xxxlbs
Update:                     | Age   : xx               | Eyes  : xxx
Align : xxxxx               | Size  : xxxxx            | Hair  : xxx
Deity : xxxxx               | Speed : xxft             | Hand  : xxx
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Ability    |   Temporary   | Class                 Level
     Score   Mod  |  Score   Mod  |  xxxxx                  x
STR   xx      +x  |               |  xxxxx                  x
DEX   xx      +x  |               |
CON   xx      +x  |               |
INT   xx      +x  |               |
WIS   xx      +x  |               |Total Level: x         Extra Feats: 0
CHA   xx      +x  |               |XP  :    xxxxx         Next:   xxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total   Current   Subdual |         Total   Dex   Misc
HP    :   xx       xx             | Init  :   +x  =  x  +
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total        Armr  Shld   Dex  Misc
Full    :   10  =  10 +     +     +     +
AC      :   10  =  10 +     +     +     +
Touch   :   10  =  10 + xxx + xxx +     +
FlatFoot:   10  =  10 +     +     + xxx +
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAVES                          Ability
            Bonus    Base   Mod  Magic
Fort (Con):   +x    =     +     +     +
Ref  (Dex):   +x    =     +     +     +
Will (Wis):   +x    =     +     +     +
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base    Total   Base   Str   Misc | Base    Total   Base   Dex   Misc
Melee :   +x  =      +     +      | Range :   +x  =      +     +
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combat  Total  Base  Str  Misc    | Mnvr   Total  Base   Str   Dex  Misc
Mnvr   : +x  =  0  +  0  +  0     | Defense: +x  =  0  +  0  +  0  +  0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weapon: xxxxxx         Weight: x lbs
Move Name    Type    Atk   Damage    Crit      Range   Type    Special
Attack      |Melee | +xx | xdx+x  | xx-20/x2 |   -   |   x   |
Charge      |Melee | +xx | xdx+x  | xx-20/x2 |   -   |   x   |

Weapon: xxxxxx         Weight: x lbs
Move Name    Type    Atk   Damage    Crit      Range   Type    Special
Attack      |Range | +xx | xdx+x  | xx-20/x2 |   -   |   x   |

Armor: xxxxxx           Weight: xx lbs
 AC  MaxDex Pen. SplFail Speed  Special
 +x |  +x  | -x |  xx%  | xxft | None

Armor: xxxxxx           Weight: xx lbs
 AC  MaxDex Pen. SplFail Speed  Special
 +x |  --  | -x |  xx%  | xxft | None

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABILITIES/FEATS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELLBOOK:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELLS KNOWN/PREPARED:
0:
1:
2:
x:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELLS PER DAY / SAVE DC (Spell Level + Ability Mod + 10)
1:  / DC xx
2:  / DC xx
x:  / DC xx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKILLS (Max Rank = Level, Class Skills get +3 bonus with at least 1 Rank)

                 Key     Total Ability     Class  Misc
                 Ability  Mod   Mod  Ranks Skill  Mod
Acrobatics         (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Appraise           (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Bluff              (Cha) +    =    +    +    +
Climb              (Str) +    =    +    +    +
Craft:_____        (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Diplomacy          (Cha) +    =    +    +    +
Disable Device^    (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Disguise           (Cha) +    =    +    +    +
Escape Artist      (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Fly                (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Handle Animal^     (Cha) +    =    +    +    +
Heal               (Wis) +    =    +    +    +
Intimidate         (Cha) +    =    +    +    +
Knowledge:_____^   (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Knowledge:_____^   (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Knowledge:_____^   (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Linguistics        (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Perception         (Wis) +    =    +    +    +
Perform:_____      (Cha) +    =    +    +    +
Profession:_____^  (Wis) +    =    +    +    +
Ride               (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Sense Motive       (Wis) +    =    +    +    +
Sleight of Hand^   (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Spellcraft^        (Int) +    =    +    +    +
Stealth            (Dex) +    =    +    +    +
Survival           (Wis) +    =    +    +    +
Swim               (Str) +    =    +    +    +
Use Magic Device^  (Cha) +    =    +    +    +

^Trained only
Languages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONEY:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEAR (Weight):



TOTAL WEIGHT:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOAD:  Light   Medium (-3) Heavy/Max (-6)  Lift (x 2)  Push/Drag (x 5)
          lb         lb           lb             lb            lb
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAGIC ITEMS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah that'll do fine.

So, do we have any options if our stat rolls were just abysmal?  Like, 11 point buy abysmal?

Yup.  Me, too.  11 whole points. :)

Oh dear...yeah that's...not usable. Just redo them.

That did it!

So, I've settled on a Lawbringer Aasimar Custodian Warden.  My magic spheres are Divination (senses only, no read magic, 3/4 casting), Light (glows only, roving glows only, 3/4 casting), and Life (3/4 casting).  I can improve any one of those to full casting by fifth level.  My combat spheres are warleader, gladiator, and guardian.

So,how is it coming along_

Also, I have another application, someone who wants to play a psion scion (haha) of a private mercenary company. It would fit in well with this game because each of you can help shape the empire. But it is up to you.

Question about posting frequency- how do you want to handle it,especially in regards to reply time and posting for players who can't post in time? I have some ideas but I always ask first.

Working on it.  I'm a little confused about how background and consolidated skills work when taken together.  Once the skill list is collapsed to 12, it doesn't seem to play well with background skills as written.  Could you clarify here?  Thanks!

phorcys and I had a discussion about posting rates upthread; were both looking for a fairly active game.

WRT character completion, I've got most of my character on a Google sheet waiting to transfer it.  We're going to need you to make our sheets (in character details) user-editable.

This has really significant implications for "Sphere" versions of core and hybrid classes accessing sphere magic via archetypes.  Have we thought this one through fully or should I take it as written?

In reply to phorcys (msg # 16):

In short,if it is an adventuring skill for your class, it is not a background skill. Everything else, even skillsyou make up, is a background skill. So as in the example,Perform is an adventuring skill for the bard, so bard can put no background skills in Performance, and bards don't need to specify which instruments they play or what tricks they can show, it is up to the player to specify this. If you are a soldier who can sing and plays drums, it is a background skill and you'd need to specify which performs you have taken up, in this case drums and singing (to lead the marching band or some such). Drums and singing each would need a skill point, as they are different performing skills. When the soldier rolls their performance, it is still grouped with the Performance skill list, but unlike a bard who has trained intensively in the arts, the soldier has a more limited perform option. You may of course also put a skill point in regular Performance,which may lead to the soldier being the better drummer in the end if you keep updating both those skills. In every other aspect the bard will still be a lot better.

If you take Handle Animal,it comes down to a similar set up. A farmer by trade would be able to handle animals related to farming,a soldier horses and pack animals (which may include camels, goats etc if it makes sense)While a druid or ranger can be expected to have learned about all sort of animals and communicate with them.

Sleight of Hand is a must for any rogue,but if the soldier can play tricks with cards for example, or every now and then steals from people, it must be a background skill.

Does that clear it up?

Background skills I get.  The rules're simple enough and I've used them a few times.  When you say "consolidated skills" in your original post, are you referring to these rules (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/skill...ills-optional-rules/)?

Yes

I read over it and you are right, this does notwork for Sphere versions. My bad.

Bringing attention to this, I don'tmind either way, it is up to you.

re: Other player - I'm flexible.  As long as we have a good group groove and are able to move the plot forward, I'm OK with adding another, though I'll wait to hear from Davtehprophet.  This was his call for a game, after all.

re: Feats & archetypes - Thanks!  It seemed pretty silly that I could pick up regular PF spells for the cost of a feat.  That was a bit over the top.

re: Combining Background skills and Consolidated skills: I'll do my best, but the rules as written seem pretty incompatible, since there are adventuring skills and background skills that get crushed down into a single consolidated skill.  I can't admit to understanding how to reconcile that, but I'll give it a whack.

OK...I think I've puzzled this out.  Map the skill points onto the "consolidated" list.  Any skills not in the standard conversion list are "extra", basically background skills that can be added to the standard list of 12.  Is that it?

Exactly.

Not sure if this worked, not figured out all the functions yet - can you edit/import sheets now?

Unfortunately not yet. :(

Ok I hope I got it this time.

In reply to Book of Days (msg # 29):

That got it!  Thanks!

Davtehprophet,still around?

Ok,seems we are missing a player already. Today is Sunday, if I do not hear from Davetehprophet until tomorrow evening GMT I'll open the game up for one or two more players.

Sounds good.  Let's do this.  Hopefully, DtP is OK.

Si I reopened players wanted and will post an add tonight. Chronic eye issues flaring up right now so I am a little slower than usual.

Not a rush on my part.  I'm glad you're back.  Hopefully you'll get to feeling better soon and we'll get a couple of enthusiastic new players.

So we have a few new players. I'll keep applications open though, because the Hinterlands are big enough to allow for several groups or solo players, and if this site is like other PbP sites I used to be on, a bunch will drop out later anyway and then we'll hopefully have at least one group left.

Hi everyone! Mysterious shadowy figure here!

Alright, questions!



Does this mean other characters just get teamwork feats from anyone who has them? Say I take Outflank, everyone who I consider an ally effectively has Outflank and gets its benefits as long as we're all fighting together?



So normally familiars don't really "level," but companions sort of do, but not through levels. An animal companion starts with two hit die, gains one at level two, and gains another at player level 4. Some features specify a companion levels at what is effectively your class level - 3, but others grant full progression.

At PLAYER level 3, say that someone is a druid or other character with a full progression companion. Is their companion...

- trapped at 2 hit die, as if they were still level 1?
- trapped at 1 hit die because that's level 3 - 2?

If someone is a ranger or other character at a class level - 3 progression, do they...

- suffer a -5 penalty total, meaning that a 6th-level ranger has a companion as strong as a 1st-level ranger would normally?
- only suffer a -2 penalty total, meaning any source that grants class level - 3 now grants class level - 2?

And how does this work for familiars? Familiars don't usually gain hit die at all, they just get bonuses based on their master. I see the "so improved familiar isn't available" part but it's written to suggest it follows naturally and I can't figure out what's meant to happen.

Yes, anyone fighting directly with you (flanking, back to back etc) will benefit from your experience and direction and thus share the teamwork feat with you, yes. Someone half the battlefield over will not.

Animals in the group are, de facto, complete characters getting HD and other stats from their animal type and dice rolls. The effects of their stats are, of course, depending on what animal it is. So if you'd end up with a mouse familiar with a STR of 18, it just means it is super super strong for a mouse and could thus,for example,drag something across the floor to you it would normally not have a chance against. Or it might do more than 1 damage in an attack, though a mouse would not normally attack unless in a swarm or fearing for its life. CON of 18 makes it a tough mouse indeed but as they only have a HD of 1/8 d8 if I remember right it could still be crushed easily enough.

Similarly,if the mouse has INT of 18, it would outsmart every normal mouse, follow commands really well,recognize symbols etc but still not be able to solve mathematics beyond what RL mice can manage (yes, science knows now that mice can count). Similarly, with CHA of 18, it would be a very very cute mouse and charm most anyone - someone scared of mice would still run.

The main reason for this change is that RL animals are way way smarter than many people give them credit for, and science finds out new skills all the time. They can also survive injuries in amazing ways. In almost any game animal stats are thus laughable.

With the exception of the stat increases, which the animal does on its own, the ranger would still give the abilities of their own level to their companion.

Hmm. I appreciate the clarification on teamwork; I am still a little confused about animals. Not about the "a mouse with Intelligence 18 is not as smart as a humanoid/aberration/fey/etc with Intelligence 18," I get that, but I'm still not sure what's mechanically happening.

Let's say someone is a level 4 druid and has a tyrannosaur or a giant constrictor or trumpet swan or whatever. I think you're saying, they roll for their stats rather than use their species base. The tyrannosaur might end up with Str 18, Dex 12, Con 15, Int 14, Wis 7, Cha 12 or whatever instead of its usual statline of Str 14, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 10.

Is it still using the chart https://www.d20pfsrd.com/class...id/animal-companions found here to determine its bonuses from your druid level? Like...does it still have 4 HD, 2 feats, skill points appropriate to its unusually high Intelligence, an ability score increase et cetera? Or are you saying it'd be totally outside that system?

I guess I'm just not really sure what the "-2 levels from the bonded person" part means.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Fri 25 June 2021.

I worry multiclassing and archetype are too easy of loopholes out of this and hurts the magus and swashbuckler on their normal attacks, not just their broken crit class features.

Small request. Can we change this to:

Crits are autoconfirmed EXCEPT for class features, feats, racial traits, spells, or traits that activate on a critical hit. You still have to confirm normally to see if such special abilities apply the critical effect.

This way normal weapon attacks aren't somehow less critty for a magus and swashbuckler than they are for a wizard or sorcerer and you don't get any other loopholes through archetypes from other classes that emulate some of the crazy crit stuff magus and swashbuckler can do.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Fri 25 June 2021.

Yeah we can, makes sense.

Yay!

No,the only part of that chart still in use are the feats gained at the appropriate level of the druid or ranger. So, if the druid gets to level 3 the animal would get Evasion,as it is the master's level which counts, not the animal's. The animal would still stay at level 1 until such a time the druid advances to level 4 so it stays 2 levels below its master. Ability scores go up with the animal's level, and the animal levels up automatically once the master gets to level 4.

Likeways,the animal does not grow to weird proportions (like oversized wolves and some such).If it is not already grown it grows at the normal rates for its species.

And I forgot to mention, if it makes sense in the story anyone can get a companion animal, or familiar for magic types,and not much limit on species as long as it does exist in the area.

Ah. That is a bit unfortunate from my perspective, but I understand now, and thank you for the explanation. Just the one follow-up question, then:

For summons and minions that are not animals at all (or at least not built as familiars or animal companions) such as the Conjuration Sphere's companion or the 13093128 archetypes that use it as a base or Leadership cohorts or so on, do those use their standard rules?

We starting level 1?

What's starting gold?

Can I do custom character sheet?

We start at level 3 - I doubt very very much that the empire would send anyone with less experience. I've thought about it and due to the empire financing you, starting gold will be 5000 plus one minor magic item appropriate for your class.

And yes, anything not a natural thinking being including eidolons and such follows normal rules.

Magical beasts agreeing to serve as familiars or companions follow house rules.

Cohorts follow the level rules or Leadership, including magical beasts, so if you pick up a unicorn, at your level 17 the unicorn would be level 10.

There can be story exceptions, where you pick up beings who already have levels higher than if you create them yourself. So if the unicorn protector of the area decides to follow the druid, she will be higher than that.

Oh and yeah you can use any sheet you like.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:40, Sat 26 June 2021.

In reply to Book of Days (msg # 47):

That's pretty cool. I don't care much for followers but it'd be neat to have a cohort that is "my shadow" or something like that. Court that won't be available until 7th level for any class doesn't come with one.

I actually meant the Cohort Package of the Leadership Sphere (and I should have specified since...you know, the Leadership feat and cohorts from the feat also exist, that was my bad and I apologize) but it's no worries! You have answered the things I was wondering anyway, and I am clear on companions now. I think I'll be sticking to the unnatural kind.

What's everyone doing? I'm leaning towards a fey-aspected witch-knight of sorts, with a background loosely inspired by 4E Shadowfell stuff, or Exalted's Asphodel if you're familiar with that. Something dark but in a pleasant sort of way.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:43, Sat 26 June 2021.

Vyv is a finder, and trader of the rare, and the exotic.  On DM's approval, she is traveling with a strange purple cat like thing, and a bizzar horse drawn carriage that seems more a house on wheels than a normal carriage.

A human, shaman otherwise.

Greetings everyone, I just got added and read over this thread.  How many groups are there actually and who is in them and what race/class are you all taking?  I am open to playing just about anything.

It's just Vyv, and Hisspurr right now in a group.  I would love to have others in if we are allowed more than two in a group.

No real limit, but logically large groups raise attention and it would make sense to travel in groups of 3-6.

Hello everyone.

I'm playing a Saturnian Dreamland Cat, Ninja, in the service of Vyv, the Shaman, whose pretending to be a merchant. You will have needed to spent a week with HissPurr understand him, otherwise he just sounds like any other feline, although he can probably understand you.

The rest is in description. It's just Vyv and I right now, so like Vyv said a third would be great, as I just look like an odd cat to some odd merchant.

Malicus is a rogue-y fella with a few magic tricks up his sleeve (mostly shadow and darkness stuff). As a fetchling, he often serves as a messenger and spy for mysterious masters in the shadow plane, but lately he's between tasks and just looking to make coin.

I could join you.

That would be great.  Maybe we talk in pms?

Sure.

Hey L0st!!!

Or should I say Pearl? Or maybe Juno? We can roll together.

Lunar Kitty... how are things looking for you?

In reply to Warpriest (msg # 58):

I'm on it. Would oyu adventure with a celestial sorcerer? or maybe an oracle?

Elf - Ranger/Spellcaster (with Trap Finder) for hire.
Really a jack of all trades and very good with a bow.


13? hand in paws.

Our group is made up of a strange troupe.  A cat from the Dreamlands, a man from the Shadowlands, and the daughter to Hag, who are going to try and get a gypsy horse drawn house carriage, offering wears and trading in the strange and exotic.

If you think your character fits this eclectic mottle, contact any one of us, Malicus, Vyv or myself and we'll get you into our private messages.

Which is a simple spell one can have if you can only have one? Specially one you would want to use all the time to trigger some healing?

It sounds like we're going to be 3rd level, instead of 1st.  That's great news!

I'll be playing Anourimus Nens, human Sphere Arcanist.  I'm still quite open as to spheres and feats.  What do we want or need in an arcane caster?  Blaster, summoner, healer, transportation?

Our troupe could use a tank in case things get dicey. Ranged attacker/magic blaster might work if we all play keep-away during combat. LOL

Hey, Warpriest, you, Lunar, and I can form a group.  I have yet to decide what I wanted to play.  So, if we have a warpriest (Melee?), Lunar (Arcane???), and myself (Was thinking about a ranged inquisitor) that would be fun!
This message was last edited by the player at 05:52, Sun 27 June 2021.

@L0st & Lunar: I am melee focused. Did you see the info I posted on the storm goddess Thundyria (Thun-deer-eeya)? I mean...a Warpriest and an Inquisitor to the same goddess? That already sounds like some kind of religious zealotry / special mission going on.

I am okay with Kitty's sorcerer or oracle. What could be really neat is if that character was either some kind of ward we needed to protect or otherwise escort!

Hmmm... what about the Elf Envoy who is a Ranger and Trapfinder? Want to pick him up too and give us a 4 person group? What about it homie? Want to roll with us over here?

Sounds awesome to me.

Hi Warpriest.
Happy to join.  Think my Nature/ranger skills would add nicely to the group.

He has his own issues to deal with so hiding behind two religious zealotry / special mission of Thundyria many help.  She a type of nature goddess anyway so he be at peace with the idea.

In fact I can see him standing back and watch with interest and amusement at what you two get up to.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:37, Sun 27 June 2021.

Sweet. New friends! :D

I was hoping the nature aspect might appeal to you somewhat.

I have the problem of "Always DM" so I am hoping we don't lose ours and we actually get to do some stuff.

I do tend to occasionally get carried away and am rather vocal. I apologize in advance. Just check me if I'm being a dufus.

So anyway. I dont know how relevant this will be since there are now at least 3 others involved, but my original plan was to focus on the Southwest of the Hinterlands along a thin but long rocky coast in a warm climate with high mountains to the north, that have sharp drops into desert plateaus. I was going to have the region dominated by 3-5 city states on the coast that all share a love-hate relationship with each other, resorting in regular temporary alliances and open piracy. Each city state would have roughly 1-3 other small settlements that are affiliated. Right in the middle of the coast I was gonna stick a jungly marsh which is hostile salt water lizard folk territory. They regularly make problems of themselves. Additionally, I was going to toss in a few atolls off the coast home to cantankerous crabmen that alternate between being hostile and not so much. I had thought to start with some missing people that went to another city state or settlement that got too close to lizard territory and go from there.

But I dunno. I dont want to force any hands or crunch any toes. Does this sound like an interesting part of the region? Anything y'all want to do or explore or be a part of?

In reply to Warpriest (msg # 66):

It is fine by me. I'm almost there, I'm only missing equipment and deciding on my one spell.

So,I added the main regional map I just started based on the ideas here. So there is the southwest coast with mountains north of it. I am afraid over time the map will look like a mismatch of icons because I do not have a paid account for the site I started on but a whole LOT of other map icons.I'll overlay a hexgrid eventually.

North of the map is where Nyh starts, and the Empire is in the southeast. Asides from basics of the map,like knowing that there are mountains and some larger bodies of water, not all that much is known because info is either old or obtained by flying over at rather high altitudes.

*waves from the back of the room*
I'm thinking of playing an Essence Smith, so while not a tank, my character can help keep everyone's equipment in good shape.

@Book: What program are you using? I use Inkarnate myself.

Maybe I am being a dufus, but I dont see your map...

Warpriest.  Sounds good to me.   I have the race trait envoy so we have comprehen languages and I have diplomacy so I can back you up.

Under game links,as it would otherwise be too big. Yes, I started it with Inkarnate but I'll add the rest on the computer

Warpriest, Lunar Kitty here. Did you order a living escort mission?

Do we roll for Hit Points after the 1st level, or do we get maximum?

Roll.

Wait, roll? weren't we first level?

We're 3rd Opal.

Anaroredale walk up to Opal and give her a book.
The book is entitled "The Wised of the Elves."

On reading the book she has deeper understand of the world, it's history and her goddess.  She learned some new spells and skills (Opal is now 3rd level).

He he...

BOD, are we allowed to make our own  traditions, or  should we just stick to the ones that are already in the material?

Sorry for the delay, but storms in my area have been playing games with power.

My access is always bad thanks to living in a small village so no problem.
You can make up whatever you want as long as it does not contradict what we already have.

Obviously, I'll run it by you BOD before we make anything official, just would like to ask for permission, so I can keep the forgiveness requests down to... medium.

:D

So I am trying to figure out groups...Those around HissPurr should be able to post to group 1 now, please check if you can post in All the Hidden Things.

I've started adding to group 2 but I am a bit lost who is where now or if a 3rd group is needed.

I'll have the groups enter the Hinterlands a day apart each.

Group 2 is Opal, Pin, Warpriest, Anaroredale.

Ok added.

Is Pin the Inquisitor?

Yes

Been quiet last few days. I'll be finished tonight.

Indeed. I know our team is waiting on our 4th party member.

Opal and Inara join us in the PM chat!!

It would be nice if you would.  It not just about me joining you but developing everybody's character and the group as a whole. :)
And you can be rude to the noisy elf if you like.  I will not take it personally.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Fri 02 July 2021.

whos looking for a team member?

*edit

oh, I just saw milestone leveling.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Fri 02 July 2021.

Speaking of joining, I will be done Soon (TM) - with the hopeful blessing of the DM, he's a fighter whose archetype salad altogether just mean "focused on fluid, flashy melee combat and buffing/defending allies in the fray, including the one he adds," making use of Mithral Current, the Leadership sphere, and various sundries, a swordsman and mystic from a mysterious little dark-aesthetic fey enclave who is joining the adventure less on the Empire's behalf or out of personal interest in power and more to make sure the mage's treasures aren't put to evil or destructive uses by whoever recovers them.

Like his teachers and masters he has a deep affection for genre conceits, storybook experiences, and treating life as theatre. That includes the deviousness needed to maneuver in a world where most other people don't, so he won't be in the way of spywork or general sneaky shenanigans. Hopefully just the opposite.

But I've missed a few boats. Is either party and the DM willing for a fifth? There are people who could form a Group Three, are they still around?

Danine has fallen quiet, here's hoping we get him back.

You'd be a great fit, though that decision is for the DM.

In reply to Valadyr (msg # 95):

Yeah we'd love to have you on the team. We're kinda the edgy squad. ;)

Valadyr, if Book of Days allows it, I would love to have you join us.

Vyv doesn't talk about her fae part, *cought* hag *cough*, but we have a pretty purple cat from the world of dreams, and a spooky halflings from the world of shadows, all in a gypsy caravan.

I don't know much about Danine yet, but he's a smith of some kind.

Not a halfling. I'm 5'11". Fetchlings are mutated humans technically (but it became a race over many generations of exposure to shadow realm).

I missed that Malicus.  Vyv is the short one then :P

Not our dreamcat, HissPurr? I was confident he was the short one. :P

Hahahah. I was thinking that but I didn't want to say anything.

When you're a cat it's like you don't even count.

I get a little time off after my delivery today. I'll have plenty to post about.

Oh.

And I dont reckon anyone here is too much of a Firefly fan because I'd have surely thought my name would raise an eyebrow or two. :P

Familiars don't count, they are second class citizens :p

I was referring to my humanoid companions.

No, a dragon didn't eat me, my hard drive died.
:(
I promise to have my CS done by Sunday.  Fellow caravaneers carry on, we can meet up IC maybe.

I posted saying you were sleeping so you can take the next shift.

My comp is on the verge of dying all the time, I hope it holds to October.

I had the weirdest birthday with all sorts of things going wrong though,so i take that as a good omen that the next year will work out fine haha.

I am completed and good to go!

Opal, Pin, Anaroredale,all ready to go in group2?

Yeah. Opal asked me a PM a few days ago, I responded, and havent heard back yet.

Yes I am ready

Haha.

@Pin: I may have changed the intro up a bit. It didn't look like we had a whole lot to work with and it read like a terrible idea without a lot more context. Here is hoping somebody has a better idea than me.

Group Leader...

1
2
3!

Not it!

Not it!

Sinking feeling.  Opal I really hope your the group leader.

Last thing Anaroredale needs is to be make group leader because he is a hired ranger.
With his background he going to be pissed if he does.

Pin already voluntold me in pm. Who hired you, Anar? Do you know more about the introduction post in our group 2? I wasn't sure what to make of it. There wasn't very much context, just some really nice descriptions that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me in the "why" category.

I did at least respond to the PM though. Finally. :D

Hi Inara.
If we had chance to develop the PM then "why" would have come out.

Bottom line is Anar is palming himself of as a ranger/guide with the group for his own reasons.  Getting himself lost with a group of adventures going anywhere that not his home kingdom.

Err I may have upset the GM plains or I may just get ignored.
Rolled nat 20 of check to find the trail and get us out of the fog.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:51, Sun 04 July 2021.

Hehe as I don't really have plans it's all fine.

Well that PM thread can still go on.

If the group fine I like to carry on with PM so we can get to know each other characters.

As for GM.
I had few times on this site when I Ace a roll and got like 30+
Only for the GM to cut to a video sense in the game (like in a computer games) and completely ignore my roll.  So learn a nat 20 does not always save you from GM.

But in this case we may be lucky.

Whats a nat 20? Is that something good? I don't know what that is. I've never seen one. I've only ever heard they exist in fables. XD

That sounds like a GM to avoid like the plague.

Hi everyone,

I'm the Lurker who is finally finalizing their S=CS. It'll be for a merc with a big personality, subcontracted for work with the empire. They are a melee-focused initiator (Warlord) and love their dog Big Boy.

Hoping to find a home for these two scallywags.

If Opal doesn't interact or let us know what she is doing, our group (Opal, Pin, Anaro, & myself) will only have 3 and could use a 4.

Im not sure if the other group has 4 or 5, but they may want a tank too.

Valadyr is in your group too.

Really? When did that happen? I am not meaning to be rude and exclude anyone. I genuinely did not know. I have not seen anything from the player or a post from the character. :/

Yeah he has been on but hasn't posted.

Cool bean.

It sounds like a good deal of you might be full up on a group for now, so no biggie. I did try to build my character with some Merc-like stats and skills, a bit of a wandering warrior style vibe, and a faithful companion, if that helps anyone decide they'd like Yudi in their party (though I'm more writer than gamer, so party balance has always been the least of my concerns.)

I'll check back in once Good Boy's stats are done.

I'm not sure what Book of Days wants to do, but we are open for anyone.  We are bit of a gypsy caravan, with eccentric characters.

It is really all up to you, as I said, I have very little in the way of plans, and nothing at all developed yet.

If you want to tell your story with us Yodi, you are more than welcome to.

Hisspurr has no objections to dogs. He doesn't like earth cats however.

Vyv and HissPurr, The Fool accepts your invitation :)

My dinosaur of a computer undeaded with the last Windumb security update so now it is even worse than usual with errors and losing the internet etc. so i might post a bit slower.

Wish you luck with your computer :)

Good luck, hope it resolves quickly!

Danine Caminelle's player had weather damage and needs to move among other things so it'll be a week or more before Danine really can join in.

Computer died completely,and my housemate has a working deadline coming up so I can hardly use his computer right now. We are trying to raise money fora new one but that may take a bit. Thanks to corona and Brexit my mate hardly got any commissions in the last few years.

Thanks for letting us know.

In reply to Book of Days (msg # 136):

Sorry to hear that. No worries. Do what you gotta do. Good luck!

That's the worst and sorry to hear. But thanks for looping us in.

Hope you get one soon.

I'll be waiting then. No worries.

Anyone still here?

I am here, was sort waiting for others in my group to post.

Im here. I was kind of waiting for more plot in my group.

Still here.

this is the ish, unfortunately

Hello!

So we need another GM. :(

1!
2!
3!

Not it!

Not it!!

Done that (at least 4 time).  Got the T-shirt.  Worked out it does not fit at the moment (to much work).
Handed it back to the shop.

Sorry not me this time.

I liked Vyv, Mal, and Cat :(

In reply to Vyv (msg # 150):

Me too. I'm going to be running my own game soon. PM me if anyone is interested. It won't be PF1e though, probably homebrew.

I'd love to! But I'm unreliable at the moment. Speaking of that, I need to try to revive my two games.