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Author Topic: Paths to Glory - Game has started! Check the PbP Forum now!  (Read 15168 times)

Enkhidu

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« Reply #15 on: March 07, 2006, 11:07:09 PM »
Quote from: the ultimate nullifier
Can the players discuss the kinds of characters they might want to play?


test
 

el-remmen

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« Reply #16 on: March 07, 2006, 11:45:30 PM »
So I am thinking I want to play a wizard (maybe invoker), with a level or two of fighter working towards the Eldritch Knight (if available).
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Elidia

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« Reply #17 on: March 08, 2006, 12:17:54 AM »
I might want to go the human monk route - Any alignment (no, I'm not going to go evil) or religious bits I need to know about?
"suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness."

Ottomsoh the Elderly

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« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2006, 08:11:23 AM »
Quote from: Enkhidu
Goblins were player possible races


Thank you. I appreciate it. I suppose the tall goblins you spoke off are hobgoblins and bugbears?

(OOC)

I'm thinking about a true neutral goblin druid with a wolf for animal companion. If psionic material from the SRD is open, I'm also interested for other character concepts.

Now, I'm open to options completely disconnected from my psionic goblin schtick here. Among the character concepts I've yet to play are the paladin (without a stick up the arse) and the "seeker of harmony" (a multiclassed druid/monk).
 

Enkhidu

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« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2006, 09:06:11 AM »
Otto: Yes, the larger goblins are simply hobgoblins and bugbears with the serial number files off - scholars disagree on exactly how goblins progress in size, and since so few goblins have been willing to take part in such conversations, its been a mystery in more civilized lands. In fact, during the game its quite likely you won't see anything but goblins as "humanoid of the week." There will be no orcs in this game. Speaking of which, anyone who wished to play a half-orc is more than welcome to. Keep it mechanically the same (a side effect of the goblins' advancement process mixed with human blood), but call them half-goblins.

And, since we've had not one but two people talk about playing more divine classes: a word on both politics and religion, which - as always - seem to be tied together.

Politics:

The following facts will be known to anyone with any sort of education or knowledge of current events.

The Crimson Empire: Sometimes called the Bloody Empire by its detractors (though always quietly), the Crimson Empire has been expanding rapidly for the past generation, when the current Emperor (his August Majesty, Tannic V, the Conqueror) took the throne. While his grandfather, Tannic III had been successful at peaceful annexation of nearby lands, the latest Emperor has captured lands through brute force. Six different kingdoms have fallen to the Emperor and his Marshalls, each more bloodily than the last.

The latest addition to the Empire was the Kingdom of Faris. When the Farisian King died without a full grown male heir, the Emperor put forth a claim to the crown based on ancient texts. When the nobles rejected his claim, Tannic invaded, taking the King’s eldest daughter as a consort and claiming the throne by right of marriage. The nobles, predictably, fought and were slaughtered wholesale by Marshall Rax, a cunning and brutal general, in a long and drawn out conflict that finally ended 10 years ago.

At present, the Empire is split into provinces, each of which is under the control of a Marshall. Laws are uniform throughout the Empire, and citizens (with papers to prove it) are supposedly able to travel without hindrance from one side of the Empire to the other. In practice, however, taxes stifle this sort of travel for all but the most wealthy. Additionally, certain parts of the Empire are under martial law (and have been since they were conquered).

The Frontier: While life within the borders of the Empire is filled with taxes, laws, and the like, the frontier is something wholly different. Though the Empire claims ownership of the land, it has little power there. It is fair to say that the reach of the Empire ends in the shadow of the trees. That is not to say, however, that the frontier is totally without law.

Across the frontier are a loose confederation of forts and townships governed by men “loyal” to the Empire. However, many of these men, while loyal to the Empire itself, have little love for the Emperor and his Marshalls.

The Post: Since its expansion, the Empire has either taken over or destroyed several large organizations under the protection of conquered Kingdoms. However, three have managed to retain some level of independence: the Silver Wheel, a very powerful merchant’s guild with a stranglehold on cloth and fabric, the Forge, a semi-independent network of master weapon and armor smiths, and the Post, which delivers mail all over the Empire and even into the Frontier. The Post is known to have ties with the Church of the Rising Sun, and many of their faithful volunteer to carry Post packages from area to area.



Religion:

In the Empire and the surrounding lands, the worship of local nature gods is common. Shrines often dot the landscape, and certain areas of the Empire even have “house gods” that watch over families. However, three major sects also exist, all of which believe they serve the “one true god.”

The Children of Rao: The oldest and largest church in the Empire has endured as long as the Empire has. However, since its founding by the Daughter of the Sun 1500 years ago, it has changed many times. Currently, it is a religion centered in the mountain monasteries at the northern edge of the Divide in the South Eastern Empire. Most people in the Old Empire consider themselves to be one of the Children of Rao, though this has little bearing on their day to day lives beyond the occasional visit to temple and yearly offerings.

The sect is a monotheistic religion that believes that Rao is the source of all things. All other supernatural beings are spirits, ghosts, demons, and angels that exist – as does Man – at the whim of Rao. Devout followers of the sect believe that the Universe follows Rao’s plan (and that such a plan is both supremely ordered and beyond mortal comprehension), and that the best possible life is one that fits perfectly in that plan. Thus they concentrate on perfection of self in word, deed, body, and spirit.

[Clerics of the Children of Rao can freely mutliclass as Monks due to their emphasis on spirituality, order, and the belief in perfection of self.]

The Church of the Rising Son: Originally, this sect was simply an offshoot of the Children of Rao, but 400 years ago, when the Daughter’s Son returned and put evil men under sword and hammer, some believed that he was more than a saint. They spoke of him ascending to the heavens on a stallion made of fire to live with his mother and grandfather. Eventually, this sect broke with the Children of Rao to become the Church of the Rising Son.

Faithful in the Church believe strongly that the good and just will be rewarded in the afterlife (as do the Children of Rao), however, they also believe that righteous men and women have the duty to spread as much good works as possible while still mortal. At their best, they run charitable organizations, serve as guardsmen to protect the weak, and support the Post (because there are few joys that match seeing the look on a person’s face when they receive much needed news from a home far away). At their worst, however, they have been known to also try to mete out punishment to the evil and wicked. Yet the most righteous of the faithful temper their justice with mercy, as the Son did when he spared Cadogen the Redeemed.

[Clerics of the Rising Son can multiclass freely as Paladins due to their emphasis on order used for the protection of the innocent and the smiting of evil.]

The Cult of the Red God: The Cult, known to its members as the Holy Order of the Crimson Hand, was a little known religion from beyond the Divide until the rise of House of Tirel (the current ruling house) 140 years ago. Since then, it has grown to become one of the more popular religions in the Empire. 50 years ago, it even became the Official religion of the Empire. Lay persons in the Holy Order attend services every High Day in huge celebrations, while the priests of the order hold Halffday services for the Initiated. The Initiated do not speak of the services.

The Holy Order is a popular religion that teaches many of the same credos as both the Children of Rao and the Church of the Rising Son, but historians agree that it is not related to the other two.


And some less specific info on druids: if you played or are familair with 1e Druids, you've got a pretty good handle on the Circle. They are a loosely organized group of druids who watch over the forests, swamps, and hills of the Empire. Most druids watch over a specific area (as in most NPC druids will be static in nature), though a handful after "training" have been allowed to roam freely. These druids are most often the ones that have been idenitified as being destined for greatness or leadership.
 

Megamieuwsel

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« Reply #20 on: March 08, 2006, 10:52:33 AM »
I think I'll break with my own tradition and go with a Fighter (I usually play rogues ,bards or sorcerors...)

More questions : Starting at 1st lvl?
How much background-story is "too Little" , how much is "Too Much"? (I can easily come up with a small novel for background alone...)

34 point-buy , eh?
Good.
I'll start working on it.

Enkhidu

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« Reply #21 on: March 08, 2006, 11:30:15 AM »
Quote from: Megamieuwsel
I think I'll break with my own tradition and go with a Fighter (I usually play rogues ,bards or sorcerors...)

More questions : Starting at 1st lvl?
How much background-story is "too Little" , how much is "Too Much"? (I can easily come up with a small novel for background alone...)

34 point-buy , eh?
Good.
I'll start working on it.


Let's split the difference - how does everyone feel about starting at level 2 instead of level 1? It would give a chance for a little backstory, and increase survivability for the PCs.

Another thing to think about during backstory/character creation - I strongly encourage talking about PC connections early and often. My best gaming experiences have come from said connections.
 

Ottomsoh the Elderly

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« Reply #22 on: March 08, 2006, 12:34:49 PM »
I'm perfectly okay with starting at second level.

I'm not very familiar with 1e druid, so... What's the Circle? Just an organization or a religion too? Are there racial tensions inside?
 

el-remmen

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« Reply #23 on: March 08, 2006, 12:37:25 PM »
2nd level works for me, i can start off as fighter/wizard right away. . .
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Enkhidu

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« Reply #24 on: March 08, 2006, 02:08:28 PM »
Quote from: Ottomsoh the Elderly
I'm perfectly okay with starting at second level.

I'm not very familiar with 1e druid, so... What's the Circle? Just an organization or a religion too? Are there racial tensions inside?


I've always seen Druids as a bit of an odd duck. No two Druids will see nature in exactly the same way (unless they are master and student, and even then its not guaranteed), and as a result there's really no unified dogma. So there's really no "religion" per se. Some may believe their gifts come from a deep and primal connection with the earth. Others may see it as working with the natural forces. And still others might say that their powers result from knowing how to properly call upon the spirits of wood and water an stone.  Still, druids as a rule recognize other druids as fellows in the good fight, and treat them as such. This is where the Circle comes in.

The Circle is loosely organized group of druids that works toward common goals, and who's tiers equate roughly to the levels at which druids gain new spell levels (for example, most 7th level druids are Initiates of the Fourth Circle). In this respect, advancement within the organization is based on merit.  The higher Circles often watch over the lower Circles, serving to coordinate efforts when needed, arbitrate in disputes over territory (because many druids in the Circle - especially those who relish wildshaping - tend to be protective of said territory), etc.

As for racial tensions, their aren't many. In fact, the normal prejudice a goblin (large or small) might find in more civilized lands is often absent in the Circle.

Oh, and there's two more things a landless druid (which I think you will want to play, for mobility's sake) should know. One, Circle custom when moving through another druid's territory requires granting a boon if you are met by the druid in question. Two, if you meet another landless druid, custom dicates ritual (and non-lethal) combat, supervised by the nearest grove (landed) druid.

Hopefully that answers come questions without bringing up too many others.
 

Roudi

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« Reply #25 on: March 08, 2006, 05:27:46 PM »
I'd like to play a bard... I already have a 1st level human bard statted up from a game that never got off the ground, so I think I'll just advance him.  Hope no one has any issues with having a eunuch in the party.

Ottomsoh the Elderly

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« Reply #26 on: March 08, 2006, 07:02:08 PM »
Okay.

So let say a true neutral goblin druid. Landless of course. Spiritual beliefs are a personal synchretism of animism and Rising Son credo. (Not a member of the Church at all, but has some sympathy for them and the Post.) Comes from the Frontier, of course, and accepts sometimes to serve as guide to people needing to travel through the forest (with the added bonus that this way it's easier to keep an eye on them, and keep them away from places sacred to the druid).

What do you think, all?
 

el-remmen

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« Reply #27 on: March 08, 2006, 07:16:29 PM »
Quote from: Ottomsoh the Elderly

What do you think, all?


I like it a lot.

I see my guy as a kind of mystic.  He is a wizard only because he is a seeker of lore and its applications - and that also applies to the martial arts - in particular swordmanship (we'll see how that part of him develops - I like to leave that kind of thing to the campaign. I usually don't come at it with a pre-build mentality.  At first I though eldritch knight, but now all sorts of things seem possible.

He is going to be a bit of an odd duck.  I envision looking a bit like Kramer from Seinfeld, with a bit of that awkward energy (but not as annoying or flakey).  He has a strong impetus to do good deeds because he feels it is a kind of spirtual strength as being "good" is not easy.
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willpax

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« Reply #28 on: March 08, 2006, 09:30:05 PM »
I have two concepts in mind. I'd be happy with either, so I would appreciate some advice about which the other party members would see as more likely to join in with the emerging band.

Concept #1: A young son of a noble house (one of the supporting houses in Faris, perhaps) that is presumed destroyed by the Crimson Empire. In reality, he escaped and has been living a rough life in anonymity. He alternates between resignation at his cruel fate and a burning desire to avenge his family and his land. In terms of class, he will be a multiclass rogue/sorceror (with more rogue levels over the long haul, possibly leading to some assassin levels if it works with the story). Although revenge is a motive, he is also somewhat constrained by a sense of honor and ethics, leading to frequent moral dilemmas and anguished cut corners. All the while, he is aware that, should his identity become known, he may not have long to live.

Concept #2: A mendicant holy man in the mold of Friar Tuck--a cleric, but one more reliant on a swift knock on the head instead of a sermon, and a great mace instead of a pen. He's big, boisterous, and doing Rao's dirty work. Given a naturally disorderly nature, he quickly realized that he would not get far in the traditional hierarchy, so he has taken to the back roads and hills, carrying messages for the Post and helping people however he can.

As I said before, either sound like fun, so it really is whichever character you think might be more fun to have around.
Cherish those who seek the truth, but beware of those who find it. (Voltaire)

Megamieuwsel

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« Reply #29 on: March 09, 2006, 12:48:57 AM »
Will : That first option is exactly in the same vein , I had in mind.
Care to set 'em up as brothers?
Btw : I had a thought or two about 'em being also part of a partisan cell of sorts. Not sure , how that will fly.