The Savage Tide [OOC]

[lostsole31]

... aaaand, the OOC for The Savage Tide. Welcome to the Varsity Squad, adventurers!!

Colors are getting out-of-hand for me. So, re-doing the chart found at the beginning, but starting here...

All other NPCs are Red for male and Magenta for female.

Re-print of the Questionnaire for posterity ...
The Questionnaire ...

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What game system are you running, and if applicable what edition?
Pathfinder, with faint D&D vestiges as well, the latter slowly being absorbed by the latter. Ask me about anything that might be 3.5 that you want to use.

2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be? What is the setting for the game?
[B]Fantasy Gestalt. The setting is the tropical high seas of Oerth, on the way to the Isle of Dread to set up a colony there.[B]

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
This is gestalt, which means power is concentrated in a few. I have three players, so I am just looking for one more. There are plenty of NPCs. That's just the way things worked (some may advance levels, others are just fleshed out non-advanceable NPCs).

There will be no alternates. If we lose a player for some reason, then I will conduct recruiting again on this site.

4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?
This site (PbP). However, I will use E-mail for sending information back-and-forth such as non-battle maps for general reference, fun handouts and visuals, and for conversations. PM only for a quick burst of information. If it is likely to become a "conversation" then we shall move to E-mail.

And yes, that means if chosen you must give me your E-mail, and vice-versa. If we have in-depth conversations, PMs not only take up storage space, but following the conversation is annoying

5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
5th level.

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
WBL. So, 9K gold. And, yes, I do stick to the "no more than half starting gold on any item" down to the last gold piece, so please don't ask.

7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Pathfinder sources, WotC sources, and ... possibly ... 3rd party sources found on the d20pfsrd site.

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
See above for guidelines on official vs. homebrewed. You still must contact me with anything that strays too far from core. If there is a race that might work within the given guidelines, but has too high a monster HD/ LA, then submit the idea anyhow, and we will see if we can't work out a "monster progression" (a la Savage Species and later of the same style). Also, you will submit to me - via post, PM, or on your character sheet ... your level-by-level breakdown of your character of classes, HD, BAB, Saves, and Skills. Put that in "Other Notes".

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
Here is where you get to make "powerful" characters. There are three, flat, non-negotiable methods of generating statistics for your characters, and two which are rolled, as follows:
Array #1: 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14. Assign as desired.
Array #2: 18, 18, 16, 12, 12, 8. Assign as desired.
Array #3: 18, 16, 16, 12, 12, 10. Assign as desired.
Array #4: Best 3 of 6d6 for each ability. Assign as desired.
Array #5: Sliding scale of best three of each roll of 4d6 to 9d6 (the best three dice of each roll). Unlike the other methods, the player must choose the ability that is matched with each die set before knowing the outcome of the dice. This means that before you roll, you would have to set up something similar to this example (using a traditional fighter build) ...
Str - [roll](9d6b3)[/roll]
Dex - [roll](7d6b3)[/roll]
Con - [roll](8d6b3)[/roll]
Int - [roll](4d6b3)[/roll]
Wis - [roll](6d6b3)[/roll]
Cha - [roll](5d6b3)[/roll]

If you opt to roll, you only get one set of rolls. Rolling must be conducted on this thread using giantitp roller. Period. Also, there are no re-rolls. Period.

If you choose to roll, you do not get to default to Arrays 1 through 3 unless the total, unmodified bonuses of all statistics is under +9. At that point, you don't get to reroll but you must choose Array 1 through 3 for your character. Period.

Array Five usually develops some of the best overall statistics, but you might find yourself "playing against type" with a warrior who has high Int, but mediocre Strength. A rogue that has a high Con but mediocre Dex (who is still a fantastic character a couple years later in my home campaign). You will not get to negotiate to change the assignment of statistics if you choose Array Five unless that statistic is less than 10. Period.

Hit points are always maximum. This is a tough campaign, and there will be blood, and the saltwater spraying on it doesn't help.

10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Alignment is used, as are "tendencies" to one adjacent alignment. You cannot be evil - or even evil-ish, as the storyline effectively has your characters as the heroic counterpoint to an evil group that exists. No matter how clever or compelling your story for why your delightfully diabolic character would be helping the heroes . . . no, you may not be evil. And any attempt to make a neutral character who is really evil and tries to "balance" that out in some manner will receive the Godshammer. This is an 1st through 20th level campaign involving heroes, and maybe some disinterested types. But not evil. And don't feed me a line telling me that burning an orphanage down one day is okay if you are usually nice to people. That's not neutral. That's inconsistent evil.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
Standard rules for multi-classing apply with no XP penalties . You can have no more than four base classes. You cannot have more than one prestige class .... EVER ... until such time that PrC is finished at its highest level before you can move on; no dipping. Whatever side of the gestalt a class appears ... forever must it stay on that side of the gestalt. Any prestige classes chosen will be found on the side of the gestalt in which the classes which most contributed to that gestalt appear.

For monster races: You can put HD and LA (separately) on different sides of a gestalt - regardless if they are even. You can put LA and HD all on one side of a gestalt, or you can put HD on one side and LA on the other, but you can't mix and match sides or change this choice once chosen.

12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
Most die rolls will be made by the players. Half the fun of D&D is getting to roll dice, and that fun is already truncated by using these unsatisfying computer rollers. Dice are not left "to the honor system." However, in the interest of plot development there are a lot of things I will roll for the players. There will never - unless I am trying to clue you in to something - be a time when players get to roll things when I don't want them to know that they failed some manner or roll, usually because they are unaware that a roll would be needed.

EDIT: I actually an in-depth rules system on this. I will find the writeup and post it later. Most rolls out of combat (Perception, Sense Motive, Bluff, Diplomacy, Knowledge, etc.) will be rolled by me. I will tell you what you know or sense or how well you think you did (Stealth), but you don't get the advantage of looking at a die roll and conducting metagaming supreme. Who knows? You might think one thing, and actually be well off the mark.

13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
See above for skills.

I do use Weapon Group Feats. Also, I allow characters to trade in Armor/ Shield/ Weapon Groups for feats. Yes, you heard that right folks. But be careful, because the cheesier you make yourselves, the bigger the cheese-grater I bring ... and I just might not even choose your character.

14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
This is a game, not a writer's guild. That said, I would like you to have a clue about personal background, trade background, and class background; in addition some sense of your personality and what drives you to be a colonist/ sailor-cook so far from the safety of a city. Unless you are familiar with Oerth and can give a compelling reason otherwise, you should be from Sasserine (a large coastal city) or the nearby plantations (think New Orleans). Honestly, you won't be going back to Sasserine anytime soon, so it shouldn't be too in-depth.

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
A combination, as it is the well-written Savage Tide adventure path, tweaked by yours truly. If anything, there is a lesser amount of puzzle solving so much as a need for resourcefulness and hack-and-slash.

16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
See above Machiavellan-style pronouncement. Any contraband items will be posted here ...

Energy/ Damage/ Boon Color Markers

Weapon (Manufactured/ Natural) and Unarmed = Black

Acid = Lime
Cold = Blue
Electricity = DeepSkyBlue
Fire = Red
Sonic = Green

Bleed = DarkRed
Force = DimGray
Positive Energy/ Healing = DarkOrange
Negative Energy/ Death Effects = Indigo

[PersonMan]

I think I'll nab Royal blue for my color.

Now...time to work through everything I've got to fine-tune on Celiss...*Cracks fingers*

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Considering the (physical, not mechanical) build of Celiss, I thought that it would be more a thin build-she's definitely strong, but she also tones her muscles through acrobatics so that it's less of "huge wall of muscle" and more of "definitely strong-built, but not much thicker than average".

As for clothing, she'd be going for loose clothing that would be fairly easy to move around in, probably a faded pink-red color. I've always imagined her light cloth wrapped around her hands, for whatever reason.

I'll be going for items now. Afterwards is backstory.

EDIT: Or...not. I'm just barely awake at the keyboard, so I'll be finishing Celiss' sheet once I'm...not blinking into alseep as I try to work on it.

[Denomar]

Good morning. As per usual I will be acquiring the color Sea Green.

May the winds be at your back, and may the horizon be ever distant!

[lostsole31]

I think I'll nab Royal blue for my color.

The following is reprinted from the recruiting thread by permission of the author...

As for my new players, you may choose colors now, with the exception of Black (obviously), Red, Dark Slate Gray, Dark Olive Green, or Royal Blue.

Sooo, another color.

Of course, being smaller and thinner might be something she always wished to be ... as many women people are not always happy with who they are.

EDIT: Oh, and remember what I screwed up with Denomar, please ... you get either one extra skill point to go into a class skill relating to what you state is your 'favored class' or one extra hit point. Again, please make sure you annotate how it came to be on your sheet somewhere for when I make my second pass.

Like Denomar, I must have been auditing/ adjusting your sheet when you were tweaking, as well, as some of the changes I made were not saved. Just re-updated those changes.

[lostsole31]

Tacitus ...

1. Name?
2. Are you one of the 'alignment is above the deities' types, and that's why you specifically placed a dash under "Deity?"
3. One thing I didn't mention, is that feats that provide a flat number of hit points permanently (dragontouched, [Imp] Toughness, etc., favored class bonus) are doubled. Therefore, you receive 2 hp's for dragontouched, vice just one.
4. No shield, not even a buckler, is ever 'in your pack.' It might be hanging from your pack, sure. Shield placed in Shield section block, but marked as carried, not worn since you noted that it was 'in your pack.'
5. Your dragontouched save bonuses are marked under the "Protective Item" block under your shield.
6. You mark a 'concealed dagger' with location of 'clothing' under your equipment. Is this the same dagger that is in the wrist sheath that you marked in the Weapons block?
7. "Spells/ Powers" ... I understand that in the middle of the table, the melds on the right hand side are what are currently shaped in the slot listed on the left column. Okay, but help me out with all of the rest of the shorthand, please.
8. As with most game mechanics, the economy (and therefore starting gold and cost of items) is still v3.5. With starting gold of 200 gp, you would be tapped out as soon as you purchased your chain shirt (100 gp) and your masterwork thieves' tools (100 gp). You would have no daggers, no slick wrist sheath (cite the source for that, please), no backpack, or any survival gear. Please revisit your equipment with 200 gp in mind, for D&D 3.5 pricing.

[Tacitus]

Ugh, I do hope you didn't make any new changes and save them after I had opened the sheet and before I had saved again. That would be such unfortunate timing.

1. Name is one of those things that comes to me as I write the fluff, and always has. The sheet title rarely has anything to do with the name. XD
2. I was still deciding on that, actually. Partly because I was going to see how the character felt once I fleshed out the fluff some more and partly because yeah, as an Incarnate its more Chaos than Gods. Might on the outside pay lip service to trio of sea gods in the Azure District.
3. Ah, I was wondering where the other 1hp came from. I figured you'd lost the Frail flaw somewhere along the way, as it seems to no longer be listed.
4. Right. >.> I knew that, I swear. >.>```
5. Eh, thats probably a better place for it. Easier to notice, I suppose.
6. Sorry, that was an extra dagger, noted.
7. In the Melds/Essentia/Binds area (I) denotes from Incarnate and (F) from a feat, the numbers in the left side's Level Column is his probably essentia investment (I'll be including an Incarnum spoiler with his stat block when this changes), the +? and + is to denote the Expanded Soulmeld Capacity Feat, and Bind? with Ns is to denote whether or not a Soulmeld is Bound to that Chakra. As I have 0 available binds they are all Ns, for no. T would mean yes.
8. Ah, sorry, was using the Rogue of Pathfinder for starting wealth and kinda forgot that 3.5 doesn't get quite that much. XD I'll go rip out the MW Thieves Tools and recalculate. Most of my equipment was taken from the PFsrd site, so I'll go grab some links and then rework my gear.

Wrist Sheathe: 1 gp 1 lb.1
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---...C-Wrist-Sheath

Pickpocket's Outfit:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---...ocket-s-Outfit

I'll either edit or post again when I've reworked my gear.

Edit: Alright, cleaned up my gear and swapped out the Dragon Mantle for the Worg Pelt. Really wouldn't have reason to have the Mantle yet. The pelt? Oh yeah. Sneaky sneaky. The Kruthik claws might be better for sneaky, but I'd get moreuse out of the pelt.

Also, how ye feel about a Navy? My color, I think yes.

Edit2: I'm working on stuff on the sheet at the moment, so if you tinker with anything and save it, please let me know with a post here, I'll be checking before I save.

[lostsole31]

1) Got the name.
2) That might work, we'll have to see. At least you know the campaign area.
3) Frail's back on the sheet.
4 & 5) .....
6) Wrist Sheath is noted with Dagger (Special Properties), and the ammo and weight adjusted for two daggers + sheath. Extra dagger and wrist sheath removed from "Equipment".
7) We'll see how that system works out ...
8) No pathfinder equipment or prices. All prices must come from 3.5 sources. However, I a good with the wrist sheath and pickpocket's outfit ... but the pickpockets outfit cannot be your 'free clothing' since it provides mechanical benefit. You have to purchase it.

EDIT: Why did you delete the Indigo Strike feat I had written in with your INCARNUM writeup under "Other Notes?" Please re-type it in, that way I have a quick-look. Also, I noticed that deleting "0" for the same feat and putting in "0/1" in the cast-mem section is good. At this point, I think we were mucking with your sheet at the same time.

Let me know when you're done, yes.

ALCON: Please update (or re-attach) a short background for your character (preferably in spoilers). Also (in spoilers), please include a description ... be specific, and don't disinclude things that someone would notice ... type of sword, decorative items, blue, glowing incarnum melds, etc.

[Tacitus]

blargagrHGR

Yeah, we've been editing over one another. >.< Quite a bit, it seems.

[PersonMan]

Ah. I got mixed up and thought that those were the colors we could take.

I'll go for Dark Slate Gray then.

[Tacitus]

Dark Slate Grey is also on the list of ones you can't take. >.>

[lostsole31]

*ninja'd*

This is perversely humorous. Next it will be red.

[Tacitus]

I've more or less fixed up my sheet and now have a backstory appended to it, which will be reproduced below after my stat block.

Darrius Wavebreaker

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Male CN Amphibious Human Incarnate//Rogue, Level 1,
Init +3
HP 13/13, Speed 30 ft (Land), 15ft (Swim)
AC 17 Touch 13, Flat-footed 14
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +5
BAB/Grapple +0/+2
Abilities Str 15, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 12
Condition Amphibious
Resistances +1 save vs sleep/ paralysis (racial)
Immunities

Soulmeld Effects
Essentia: 2. Capacity: 1, +1 Capacity Feat
[0] Dissolving Spittle: Ed6 Acid Damage as 30ft Ranged Touch. Provokes AoO
[1] Theft Gloves: Insight to Disable Device and Sleight of Hand of 2+2E
[1] Worg Pelt: Competence to Stealth of 2+2E

Incarnum Feats Capacity: 1
[0] Indigo Strike: +2E damage on Sneak Attacks

Class Features
Detect Law: At-Will

Appearance:

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From a distance Darrius looks to be a human or darfellan monk of some sort but upon approaching him his dark skin is neither black nor a deeply tanned brown but a shade of blue so dark that it nearly drinks in the light. His eyes have vibrant blue irises with a faint hint of a lighter cerulean around the few prominent veins in the sclera of his eyes. Though hard to notice, when he becomes angered the gills on his neck flare and the pink flesh within shows quite obviously that he can breathe both water and air. As if born from the deeps, his hands and feet are slightly webbed, allowing him to swim through the water with relative ease. He generally wears clothing which dries quickly and is not damaged by exposure to salt water. He is almost never seen without his pair of swimming goggles, usually perched on top of his shaved head.

Under his fairly baggy clothing he wears a chain shirt and has a lightweight wooden shield hanging from his side, but shows no visible weapons. Most often is seen wearing some sort of shaggy animal pelt with what looks like a wolf's head perched atop his own. Those that recognize the dark fur and red eyes would no doubt identify it as a Worg, but may possibly mistake it for a sea-wolf. More often than not he wears a pair of black leather gloves and a blue-green torc depicting a black and green dragon's head meeting at his throat, each items of fairly fine make, but when not wearing them he does not seem to have them in his possession at all.

Other strange items he has been seen with include the following:
A pair of silvery bracers that are almost clear, shot through with veins of azure. (Astral Vambraces)
A coil of blue fire in the vague shape of a dragon coiled about his skull. (Elder Spirit)
Simple leather bands about his wrists. (Sailor's Bracers)
A large crystalline helm of pure white. (Crystal Helm)
Lenses , goggles, or spectacles of blue crystal (Keeneye Lenses, Truthseeker Goggles, or Mage Spectacles)

Background:

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Many races of the sea, especially those who live quiet lives without much interaction from outside races, name their children according to tradition. In this manner most children are named after a deceased grandmother or grandfather in the belief that the sea is returning the spirit back unto the community. However, there are those who are named as a sign of honor and trust in an outsider, sometimes even a landwalker. Darrius Wavebreaker is one of these exceptions in that while his two brothers have the traditional names for his bloodline of Eemel and Marriton he is named after a landwalker. He grew up in the reefs and deltas from rivers out of the Amedio Jungle, just outside the city of Sasserine in a small settlement of his kinsmen who created what amounts to underwater caves within some of the coral formations found there. Tales were often told of branches of the Wavebreaker Clan mingling with the other races of nearby sea-folk but the reason for the family's preference of the reef over finer living arrangements was never made clear to the public.

As he matured it was explained to him that his name was bestowed upon him because of a man who called himself Darrius Cross. Cross was a landwalker who enjoyed spending time both at sea and under the waves, often bringing supplies and trinkets to trade with the fairly reclusive clan. Cross had always befriended the Wavebreakers while maintaining peaceful relations with the people of Sasserine. Though he never voiced his opinion he found pity in his heart for the Wavebreakers, assuming they had been exiled from their peers for some terrible deed.

This was not true in the sense that Cross assumed. The Wavebreaker family was one of strange mutation and even more bizarre power they could only guess stemmed from the power of draconic blood. Some of the earliest Wavebreakers were said to be half dragons of some sort of dark dragon, presumably black, with roots in the merfolk and human races. They hid themselves away in the reefs and silt plains not far from Sasserine in hopes that their strange bloodline would not bring fearful commonfolk to their door with harpoons and fishhooks.

Cross helped to reintroduce the Wavebreakers to the outside world, and more specifically the nautically inclined folk of Sasserine. No harsh words were exchanged and there was only acceptance of the long-lost clan. Cross eventually sailed off into the sunset and the Wavebreakers began slowly reintegrating into a real community. Despite an increased interaction with the port city of Sasserine, the majority of the Wavebreakers remained in their compound. One of the chief reasons was the young children, Eemel, Marriton, and Darrius, who would be kept inside the compound during their early years for safety concerns.

At first they considered Darrius's strange appearance some sort of sign from the gods of the sea or as a black mark on their family. The others in the family all had skin tones in a healthy variety of tans and peaches, but none had the bruised, almost black skin of the young Darrius. Even into his teens they did not allow him to leave their coral home under the fears that he might be seen as an ill omen among the various clergies of Sasserine. Despite this, the young man became fairly well versed in fleeing from the compound after the sun had set upon the seas in order to visit the nearby city. He gravitated towards the Azure District so as to be among those well acquainted with the sea, but also frequented the Merchant District to palm various trinkets. By day he practiced aquatic swordplay with light blades and stabbing instruments or taught clownfish to not be so cheeky. By night he was yet another of the many youths on the streets of Sasserine, doing his best to stay away from the disreputable Shadowshore establishments.

He soon noticed that, despite his gills and odd skin, no one really paid him any attention. While it was true that he was the odd man out in most instances there were many fantastical races abundant in such a port city. He even heard tales of men born of killer whales and how his skin was oddly reminiscent of their own, though Darrius never met such a man himself. In his first expeditions to Sasserine he had tried to find the man of his namesake, Darrius Cross, but with the many years since he had even been seen few even recognized the name. After years of odd jobs around the Merchant and Azure Districts, most often as a messenger due to his ability to take more direct paths through water than running about the city, he finally found a lead. He was directed to one of the elder merchants who in turn mentioned that the last time he had seen Cross he was headed to a place called Fairwind Isle.

He departed as soon as he was able, taking up temporary employment aboard a merchant vessel by the name of the Silver Duchess. They never made it to their first stop, Port Joli across the Jeklea Bay. They were set upon by pirates and the Duchess was mortally wounded in the battle and began to flounder. The crew was able to fight off the pirates, but only barely, and boarded their ship in return in order to save their lives from the sinking merchant vessel. Darrius was not concerned about potential drowning so much as the distance from shore and the fact that the bay held many predators that would no doubt enjoy a delicious young man. Even as the fighting raged aboard the pirate's ship he fled below deck to find and fortify a position where he could hide until combat had ended. He had unfortunately chosen one of the private holds reserved only for the captain, who had also made his way down after being gravely wounded. The two exchanged blows and the young man was on the edge of death when he got in a lucky swipe with his knife that split open the captain's belly.

Not knowing who he had slain, other than that it was indeed a pirate, he tried to hide the body when several of the valiant sailors of the Duchess came below decks to flush out any remaining pirate scum. With his hands covered in blood, both his own and that of the captain, he was indeed caught red-handed. He stammered excuses and tried to slip away but he was dragged to the deck to see that the pirates had been subdued and that Darrius of the Wavebreaker Clan had bravely killed the captain. He was all but carried back to Sasserine and set aside several of the true heroes of the battle to be commended for bravery. He's actually done his best to duck the limelight, with so much vigor and skill that his stealth throughout the city of Sasserine might well have caught the attention of the less reputable types he had once tried so hard to avoid.

[lostsole31]

Tacitus, very nice background for how your people might have come to be. Also, nice life-build to current. Appearance is likewise pretty good.

The thing I need to really know is ... what are you doing with your life. I mean, you age the same as other humans ....

@ALCON: Speaking of which, while the max gold-yadda-yadda helps the characters and shows in drastically different ways, I realize the absurdity of all-27-year old characters. So, I am going to randomly roll ages based on Age Column 1 (roll dice for that column) + Age Column 2 (roll once more). Some might have learned faster than others ...some might have had to learn faster than others ... and still others might have spent an easy youth but the weight of middle age less then a decade away spurs them to action. The maximum age for anyone will still be 27, though.

Celiss Nightrom (PersonMan): 15 (base) + (2d6)[8] (monk) + (2d6)[4] (wizard) = 27
Wanderfar (Denomar): 15 (base) + (2d6)[6] (cleric) + (1d4)[4] (warblade) = 25
Darrius Wavebreaker (Tacitus): 15 + (2d6)[10] (incarnate) + (1d4)[1] (rogue) = 26

[lostsole31]

... back to business.

Tacitus (and others), what is going to make you 'available' for employment? Why are you not swiftly scooped up to go sailing the seas? Is it that you actually got in trouble (bringing you minor notoriety vice minor fame ... which is still workable)? I mean, on one hand you're a rogue; on the other hand, you are a chaotic incarnate dedicated to tearing down tyranny and the established rule of law. So while you have a capable mind and are very wise, yet your philosophy (and the other roguish half of you) likely gets you into trouble.

Also, since you are familiar with the setting (thank you for excellent background interspersion, btw), you can choose a background feat no ... but it has to make sense. Otherwise, if you wish, you can hold off on that, but then it is chosen for you based on play.

Again, for others, what is it about your relatively peon characters that makes them 'noticeable' for hire? See the recruitment thread for ideas, but you should be well into having ideas about that yourselves now, right?

[Tacitus]

Huh, I knew I forgot something. XD The five/fifteen minutes of fame. >.> I blame it on getting interrupted during writing by the powerful need to eat. I hate it when that happens. Time to break out the wrench and get back to tinkering, I suppose.

[Denomar]

Because as of right now I really can't afford the exorbitant fee to actually buy a transoceanic ticket.

That and Wanderfar always stops in new places for at least a week.

[PersonMan]

*ninja'd*

This is perversely humorous. Next it will be red.

No! I-I...D-dark pink-no! Bright...yellow!

...Fine, I give up. I'll just use LIGHT Slate Gray.

EDIT: On 5 minutes of fame...I'm not really sure what kind of thing to choose. I'm in a bit of an idea roadblock about it, since much of my creative energy has been rerouted to the generation of a new campaign setting/character.

Concerning the sheet audit, I mostly implemented/noted the stuff you mentioned, apart from the age which I changed to be a bit more in line with the original concept. Also, I can't find the Pathfinder starting ages(which are apparently different from normal 3.5 ones since the maximum starting age for double-complex classes is 27 instead of 39) in the SRD so I used the 3.5 ones. Nevermind, found 'em.

Also, according to the pathfinder SRD I can take Arcane Strike-the only prerequisite listed is "ability to cast spells". If it isn't mistaken, I'll probably replace Scorpion Strike with it.

I have another question, this time concerning the setting. Are we going to be starting in a big city of some sort, or a smaller town/village? This, combined with things I have yet to decide upon in my background, will influence gear choices.

[Tacitus]

I've done my tinkering and moved around some of my funds. Downgraded the chain shirt to Studded Leather to upgrade the Shield to Heavy and Thieves Tools to Masterwork. As for the background feats, looking over them again the Water Rat fits to a certain degree, despite the fact that the swim speed thing I can already do. Child of Shadows doesn't really fit given where Darrius would currently be in his life, but I can see him growing into it quite well. Merchant one doesn't fit this concept at all, Champion ones don't fit, Nobles certainly not, and the Cudgel one while useful and probably able to be explained probably isn't a fit. I'm figurin' on probably just waiting to see what awaits me, honestly.

PersonMan, Sasserine is described as a Large City with a Population of 15,650 with an average of NG alignment, assuming that is indeed where we'll be starting and not someplace else for some random reason. I think the nearest cities are... 200miles south through jungle and mountains or much further across a bay

[lostsole31]

Tacitus tactly tacked the tacky talk towards travel tactics.

So, yeah ... Sasserine.

[lostsole31]

Tacitus, given your background - because they are background feats - you have the Water Rat feat. This free feat isn't meant to be a whopper, so if itsn't 'optimal' ... I reiterate, it was free. However, because you lose half of the benefit, you will get double the bonus: +4 on Swim checks. Added to your +8 racial bonus for Swim checks, and you are more than good to go. In fact, swimming in stormy seas on the surface is a moderately easy task for you.

[PersonMan]

Since I'm still feeling all but empty of ideas, I think that I'll take what you've given me background-wise.

The reason for travel is:

Spoiler

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Celiss, during either her studies or from another source, heard of a source-a book, or a library, it wasn't specified-of vast volumes of knowledge. During her journey to the city for more clues to its whereabouts, she spent a lot of time considering what sort of overarching goals she would have-eventually deciding that she would use the knowledge of this place to bring the world into a new Golden Age of sorts-to spread prosperity and happiness across the plane.

To this end, Celiss has set up multiple minor goals for herself-including finding a ruler and system of ruling for this new world.

[lostsole31]

...eventually deciding that she would use the knowledge of this place to bring the world into a new Golden Age of sorts-to spread prosperity and happiness across the plane.

To this end, Celiss has set up multiple minor goals for herself-including finding a ruler and system of ruling for this new world.

... finding no one worthy enough to suit her idea of a utopian Oerth, Celiss realizes that she just can't be the architect - but the leader as well.

She takes on the name Victoria von Doom. The birth pangs are difficult as she must initially work with a thoroughly disreputable lot. But after a demonstration of your power (killing the orcish barbarian horde leader), they quickly fall in line. Nevertheless, you manage to crush those narrow-minded, so-called 'paladins' and 'holy priests' and their other allies who refuse to see the beauty of your plan or the brilliance of your leadership. You are able to garner enough of the more civilized folk to your banner, such that the humanoids you had to use can themselves be vanquished ... because such evil is not to be trusted, of course!

You usher in a golden era of peace. Sure, it might be peace with an iron glove, but it is peace. Some of those misguided 'good' folk demand for concessions of the individual in relation to the state. But you always figured that 'human' rights was a racist term, and you want all peoples of the world to be 'included' into the society you have forged ... for them.

How's that for an epilogue to the story you mentioned?

EDIT: Despite the specific question asked of Darrius by Vakrissa, don't let that mean that you all wait for that information, please. Ask whatever questions you need ... several at once if you feel you must.

[PersonMan]

stuff

Eh, not really. Her plan is more to uplift society through technology/magic. She knows that there will be wars, but hopes that she can steer the development of the world in a way that will allow for most of everything important to be provided for, eliminating the reasons for most wars.

Although I do have some characters who would do that sort of thing, Celiss is a bit less of an idealist than they are.

[Denomar]

When you are asking what my plans are as I level do you mean things like feats that I plan to choose, or what class levels I plan to take?

For the former I'll likely be acquiring persistent spell at third level to increase my buffing efficiency and then working my way into the vital strike line of feats.

For the latter, I'll probably be going warblade/cleric straight to 20, unless opportunity presents itself and he is pushed towards a specific prestige class. Like I dunno, The Purple Dragon Knights recruit him or something like that.

[lostsole31]

When you are asking what my plans are as I level do you mean things like feats that I plan to choose, or what class levels I plan to take?

For the former I'll likely be acquiring persistent spell at third level to increase my buffing efficiency and then working my way into the vital strike line of feats.

For the latter, I'll probably be going warblade/cleric straight to 20, unless opportunity presents itself and he is pushed towards a specific prestige class. Like I dunno, The Purple Dragon Knights recruit him or something like that.

1) Yes to both.

2) Right on. You will probably need to do some schmoozing with clerics in town to help teach you this manipulation of divine magical forces. The other can easily be learned at the arena.

3) Copy that, nice and simple. And even though I use an Oeridian allegory to something like the Purple Knights, this campaign really won't be a good training ground for that (and only of limited use).

[lostsole31]

I just attached pictures of Lavinia, the portrait of her brother, and the plans of the Blue Nixie to your E-mails (minus Tacitus, whom I am waiting to hear back from).

Denomar, are you going to pick up Weapon Focus [Bastard Sword] at any time? The reason I ask is doing so will give you the ability to pick up Weapon Specialization at 6th level. Regardless, not taking any feat like this means that you are forgoing one of the advantages of being a warblade - that is, weapon aptitude.

[Denomar]

hadn't thought that far ahead. Frankly 2 static damage for a character that plans to go into the feat stream that encourages one attack a round doesn't sound all that fantastic.

[Tacitus]

Aye, I was hoping for any massive mechanical benefit from a free feat, I was just expressing that nothing seemed t really jump out at me at the time as something obvious. And, indeed, with that +4, even without the +8 racial, if I took off the armor I'd be able to take 10 (as a swim speed allows) to hit DC20s all day long.

Bleh, so tired today... face to face Mage game ran until 1am last night and I had to be up super early for CES crap. Bleeeeeh.

So far It looks like Incarnate 20//Rogue 1/Dark/Draconic/Rogue +17 (maybe?)

I might also go for both LA at second level if you'd allow it, but I'm not entirely sure on that one yet. Seems... less than ideal. The only reason I thought of it was because when I don't have rogue on the other side the majority of my skills would lose the +3 Class Bonus, unless I'm mistaken.

If I take a prestige class at all, it would probably be Umbral Disciple, taken as my 6th level onward.

[lostsole31]

hadn't thought that far ahead. Frankly 2 static damage for a character that plans to go into the feat stream that encourages one attack a round doesn't sound all that fantastic.

True, when I see that you are going for the Vital Strike series ... yeah, not that great.

Aye, I was hoping for any massive mechanical benefit from a free feat, I was just expressing that nothing seemed t really jump out at me at the time as something obvious. And, indeed, with that +4, even without the +8 racial, if I took off the armor I'd be able to take 10 (as a swim speed allows) to hit DC20s all day long.

Bleh, so tired today... face to face Mage game ran until 1am last night and I had to be up super early for CES crap. Bleeeeeh.

So far It looks like Incarnate 20//Rogue 1/Dark/Draconic/Rogue +17 (maybe?)

I might also go for both LA at second level if you'd allow it, but I'm not entirely sure on that one yet. Seems... less than ideal. The only reason I thought of it was because when I don't have rogue on the other side the majority of my skills would lose the +3 Class Bonus, unless I'm mistaken.

If I take a prestige class at all, it would probably be Umbral Disciple, taken as my 6th level onward.

1) Yeah, you rock in the water.

2) CES?

3) Looks good. Seems fair that you keep your incarnum melding maxed and let the rogue side slack off some. I recommend you keep that build for that very reason. So, you don't have the skills ... you'll have enough regardless, believe me. Maybe not to be the 'god of all things' but enough to solidify your niche in a team, for sure. I would allow LA to go to both sides, sure, but that "less than ideal" is a massive understatement. You get some cool and interesting abilities as a rogue, but advancement as an incarnate really is much more crucial for the endgame. (Not that you'll ever get that far, of course. )

4) So, what will you get out of Umbral Disciple? Your skills diminish a little, though your sneak attack progression remains the same. The assumption is that it will go on your rogue side - because that class' prereqs mainly come from there; that, and rogue//umbral disciple really won't do anything for you.

Reading it, there are some cool abilities. It's up to you, through your recognition of tactics and the like, if it suits you or if overall you take a dive for little gain ... the gain is what you perceive.

However, please note that just like mixing any two other classes ... anything offered by the class is compared to the other class' best offer for that level. I mention this because your essentia pool probably won't increase at all because it will be matched/ exceeded by the incarnum side.

[Tacitus]

Hmm, yeah, if interpreted in that manner, the lack of an essentia gain from Umbral Disciple but more options to spread essentia around would result in likely spreading too thin, and I'd miss out on quite a few PF-Rogue specific things. Though seeing as thats a ways off anyway, I've still got time to really nail it down. 1-3 is definitely Incarnate 3//Rogue1/Dark/Draconic.

I do appologize for not getting an IC up yet, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off doing various things leading up to the Consumer Electronics Show, and "T.H.E. Show" (The Home Entertainment Show) that are coming up here in Vegas. I didn't expect to be quite this busy, but apparently some people have forgotten almost everything needed to set up.

Eight foot tall electrostatic speakers in an elevator. No. Just no.