Yes, actually, it is based on soulknife. Right now it's basically just a gestalt soulblade/monk class, but the mechanics are really open to change. And actually, this was but one element of a dream-inspired campaign I was working on but eventually shelved. I had fun coming up with a nightmare domain and stating out crazy clerics with the nightmare and madness domains that were absolute nightmares to face!
Hey Air,
Sorry to disappear on you mid-thread, but RL has gotten more complicated with family medical issues and I'd rather not take on another PbP at this time.
The world is a thing of Law. Each and every thing operates according to a system. The sun rises, the seasons turn, that which rises, falls. These laws are immutable, and to attempt to change them would be to struggle against all of Law at once. And yet, Chaos still exists, outside of the world, seeking a way in.
For while all physical things may be governed by laws, the mind of man is not. Free will is the way in which Chaos may influence the world of Law. The actions of people who chose their own path are unfettered by Law. Their deeds may be limited, but their minds run free. And thus, Chaos seeps into Law.
Where Law and Chaos touch, they form a third . . . Dream. Chaos corrupts the world, and produces a middle ground, where everything may seem to be as it should, until it suddenly is not. Nothing is fixed, but enough remains recognizable to ensure that one does not gaze upon the madness that is pure Chaos. The ability to dream is what sets people of free will apart from the beasts of earth, sea and sky.
Most people are only lightly touched by Chaos, and dreams come only when they slumber. But those who are steeped in Chaos follow a different path. Some are unable to cope, and the Chaos destroys from within, breaking the laws of the mind, and driving the poor souls into irretrievable madness. Others fight the Chaos within them by releasing it into the world. The dreamblades take their Chaos and give it shape through the force of their own will.
They may use their powers for good or ill, but all still rightly fear them. The world still remembers the terrors of the Dreamer, centuries later. One small boy, locked in an endless sleep, a pure gateway for Chaos. Completely removed from reality, the imaginings of a human mind ran rampant across the land. Some areas escaped relatively unharmed, but many were instead torn asunder by nightmares unwittingly made real by the Dreamer.
The land was wracked with darkness, fear and despair until a single warrior of law was able to find his way to the boy, and do what was required to end the nightmare.
A dreamblade may be a good soul, but all Law-abiding folk rightly live in dread of the potential that may be locked away inside them. All fear another dreamer.
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
Yes, actually, it is based on soulknife. Right now it's basically just a gestalt soulblade/monk class, but the mechanics are really open to change. And actually, this was but one element of a dream-inspired campaign I was working on but eventually shelved. I had fun coming up with a nightmare domain and stating out crazy clerics with the nightmare and madness domains that were absolute nightmares to face!
Although it sounds like the concept needs some ironing out, I think the dreamblade has merit. Why don't you show us what you have so far and we can work on it?
I am really digging the idea of a nightmare domain, though I don't want it to be more powerful than other domains. I don't think you necessarily have to be crazy to want to use or be influenced by nightmares. In fact, what would be truly scary would be for a perfectly sane and rational (albiet evil) person to use nightmares to scare and intimidate all kinds of people into doing his/her bidding. Sadly, there are very few representative spells. We could possibly add one or two spells to the list to make up for this. No more than that though. I don't want for us to bite off more than we can chew. And before writing up new spells, let's try to fill the domain with existing spells. After that, we can look at the spells on the list and come up with new ones to replace those that are too forced if we wish.
Hafrogman, re: The Dreamer, that idea sounds very inspired. The power of dreams to influence reality being a true threat in this world could be something fairly unique. I also like the idea of dreams forming a bridge between Law and Chaos. Perhaps dreams take place in a plane that is simultaneously coterminous with both Limbo and Mechanus. I think we may have something with this dream theme.
Ok, we have several good ideas to work on, let's develop those before we go too much further. We have the dreamblade class, a nightmare domain, and we still need some work on the lands surrounding Narovan. So far we have the Dyne River and the trade town of West Fork, which we could say is dependent upon Narovan.
Voda Vosa, sorry if I didn't reply earlier but you are welcome to join in. Right now we are working with the idea of city-states or small kingdoms in a small region of the world. If you want to start adding some details of a neighboring far east asia-inspired empire or city-state that would be fine. I do have a couple of recommendations based on what you have suggested so far. Rather than taking some real-world elements and blending them together (perhaps incoherently) use inspiration to come up with a few key elements that can be worked into the milieu. It doesn't need to look like you just mashed the Ming dynasty with Nobunaga. Also, I don't want the rules to be too divergent from the SRD; just enough spice to make the "boring" SRD lively, interesting, and of course, fresh.
Voda Vosa, sorry if I didn't reply earlier but you are welcome to join in. Right now we are working with the idea of city-states or small kingdoms in a small region of the world. If you want to start adding some details of a neighboring far east asia-inspired empire or city-state that would be fine. I do have a couple of recommendations based on what you have suggested so far. Rather than taking some real-world elements and blending them together (perhaps incoherently) use inspiration to come up with a few key elements that can be worked into the milieu. It doesn't need to look like you just mashed the Ming dynasty with Nobunaga. Also, I don't want the rules to be too divergent from the SRD; just enough spice to make the "boring" SRD lively, interesting, and of course, fresh.
Okidoky, I'll have something brainstormed late today
__________________ English is NOT my native language!
Mri'Thas: "Useless primates... " Sheng Zim: "Your existence brings the world out of balance. The chaos I bring shall revert it; unfortunately, your soul will be destroyed in the process."
-------------------------------------- Tuk Heavy Hands Apeldan: "Trolls are afraid to cats. Good to know" (Yttermayn's "Saga of the Dragon Cult") Cnosos: "I bet there's plenty of wonderful devices in that ship. Let's scavenge them at once!" (Blackrat's "After Earth") Metliz: Sounds like fun! (Arkandus's "The First") Thok: "Thok eats a lot, Thok big. Thok not good at first impressions." (MnL's "Valley of the Dead")
I was gonna post my contribution, but I have some problems formatting my text. Maybe Enworld has some problems? By the way, how do you do those spoiler boxes?
I was gonna post my contribution, but I have some problems formatting my text. Maybe Enworld has some problems? By the way, how do you do those spoiler boxes?
Formatting seems to be a browser specific problem. Some people have it, some don't.
Spoiler boxes using sblock tag.
<sblock></sblock> using [] instead of <>
<sblock=name></sblock> to name your block.
Like this.
see?
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
Upstream from West Fork, where the river narrows, lies the region known as the Moorlands. In the middle of the Lawless Hills, a colossal monument stands in memory of a long-lost era. It was known as the Arm of Luthes, from the name given to the Lawgiver by the Imperials. The legend says that the One God himself came down from the heavens to raise a mountain of metal from the earth, which he then melted and shaped in the form of an outstretched arm with an open palm. It was a symbol of peace and fraternity. For centuries, the mountain was used as a base of operations by warrior priests from the various branches of the Church. The hills were slowly settled by humans from all over the empire. However, in the space of a few days, everything changed. The fortress and the nearby villages were all razed. No one was left alive. The Arm itself is now entirely covered in rust and its fist is clenched; it is only a mockery of the wonder it once was. What caused the devastation and this hideous transformation? Scholars do not agree on the subject, but most seem to think that it was due to the actions of the Dreamer.
Since the corruption of the Arm of Luthes, numerous creatures of Chaos made it their home. Bandits and gnolls live in its vicinity. The closer you get to the monument, the more brutal they get. Harpies are said to nest at the summit. Few have gone inside and returned to tell the tale. Those who did talk of living shadows and dreamwraiths*. No main doorway exists, but many tunnels are said to lead into the ancient complex. Unfortunately, the tunnels move and thus aren’t on any map. Even to this day, the most fanatical holy orders keep watch over the region. They fight the bandits and humanoids in hope to reclaim the sacred site for the glory of the One God. The soldiers are few in numbers and their expedition is poorly funded, however, seeing as the Lawless Hills don’t have a real strategic importance.
Dreamwraith: This insubstantial creature is often mistaken as an undead. The dreamwraiths normally inhabit the world of dreams and the ethereal plane. Some believe they are what’s left of humans who got lost in their sleep, while others think that they spontaneously manifest in heavily populated areas (where the walls between the worlds are thin). They are able to take a semi-physical shape; however, there is always something not quite right about them (either they have no face, they are blurry, etc.) Dreamwraiths are known to feed off dreams and nightmares. After years of feeding, a wraith develops a cunning mind and even a personality of its own.
Last edited by Tarau; 4th September 2008 at 03:56 AM..
I love the dreamwraiths and the Arm of Luthes, Tarau. You are welcome to join us if you wish.
This gives me an idea regarding design. It might be a good idea if I, the DM, design monsters. However, I only get to design monsters that you guys come up with. In other words, if you come up with an interesting challenge, I get the job of finding a way to make it a reality, but this way, you don't get stuck facing things that I might find interesting, but you might find ho-hum.
We have a bit of geography now and I was wondering; does anyone have any good mapping software and skills? I am handy enough at drawing and scanning it in, but it would be easier to add and edit later if someone wants to volunteer with a cartography program.
The closest I can come to catography software is excel. It's easy to edit and adjust, but it looks. . . marginally better than something produced with paint.
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
That's not half bad. If anything, it gives us something to work with until we can come up with something better. I like the way this is shaping up. How about a sister city?
Dardessis
City of the Gladiators, the majestic burg of Dardessis stands as a testament to the thirst of sentient races for conflict and spectacle. Everything about Dardessis revolves around an annual competitive event known as the Great Challenge. To enter, teams of gladiators must first qualify by surviving a series of gauntlets and then battling a number of successively more powerful beasts before advancing to the final stage of the competition, known as the Tournament. During the Tournament, the best teams compete in brackets until the top two teams face each other in what is known as the Bloodfeast.
What is unique about the entire process is that none of the events are intended to be lethal (although occasional accidents do happen) until the final round, when anything is allowed. Up until the Bloodfeast, contestants are forced to use nonlethal blows, nonlethal weapons, or nonlethal spells, even when facing the monsters (so that the monsters may continue to fight in other events of course). The day before the Bloodfeast, the entire city celebrates the top two teams by throwing a massive feast in their honor. Every home and business declares their support for one team or another by flying their respective colors and the entire city is engulfed in a festival atmosphere. The day of the match is an incredible affair, with nearly the entire city watching, as scrying walls in various places throughout the city broadcast the event.
The winning team is granted the privilege of ruling the city for one year however they see fit, and any members of the team who died during the battle are raised or resurrected, free of charge (the losing team gains no such boon, though they may of course pay for such spells themselves). Though this method of government tends to lead itself to the occasional stiff swing in city policy, one positive effect is that few rulers are allowed to consolidate their rule to the point of dictatorship. In fact, most simply delegate the tasks of running the city to well-known administrators-for-hire and spend the rest of their time training to defend their title. The people of Dardessis have unwavering faith in their system of government, for they know that an unpopular ruler inspires far more talented gladiators to risk themselves in the Great Challenge than a popular one, thus ensuring unpopular rulers shall not rule long.
The current title-holders and rulers of the city are a team known as the Excoriators, led by the wizard, Alfanaster. It is unusual for teams featuring spellcasters (other than those who can cast healing spells) to make it so far in the Great Challenge, but Alfanaster's knack for beneficial transmutation spells has given his team an edge that has helped them preserve power three years running. It is even said that Alfanaster's potent magic allows him to spy on other teams and learn their strategy by taking the form of individual opponents while they are away from their teams and insinuating himself among them. Though these rumors unsettle a few people, there is nothing in the city's charter that prohibits such activity. It is unknown whether such tactics will catch on within the competition at large.
In the golden age, before the Dreamer, Dardessis was a shining jewel on the Dyne. The Royal seat of the Kingdom, which stretched along the length of the river, into the north and the headwaters of the river; and far to the south, past Narovan, and into the frontier lands.
The city itself managed to pass through the dark times with remarkable ease, spared the worst of the nightmares, and protected by a strong army, and the power individuals that lived within its walls. The city turned itself inward and sheltered the storm, but the rest of the Kingdom fell into darkness, and the individual communties learned to make their own ways. The Kingdom was sundered, but Dardessis endured.
However, the Dreamer's dreams did change one thing forever for the city. In a single night, the King, and all his family were claimed from their beds. No bodies or blood was ever found, they were simply lost into the darkness. The next day, the nameless hero of the land found the Dreamer's lair and ended the world's universal nightmare.
In the aftermath and recovery, the Chancellor tried to maintain order as best he could. He organized the army to search the recovering land for any sign of their leige's fate. For a while, the search efforts kept the people united and focused, but eventually hope faded. The King was gone. The Chancellor was murdered one night, and a brief, bloody struggle ensued. The noble who emerged victorious named himself king, and began making the most of his rule. Rapacious and cruel, he cared little for power, and much for the pleasures that power could bring. He lived in luxury, and the city suffered his whims. But the people did nothing.
One bright summer morning, the people of Dardessis arose to find the body of their would-be king strung up in the marketplace. A single swordsman stood beneath the body. The speech he gave that day entered history, and became custom as it is repeated by each new ruler.
"By the right of challenge by arms, I claim this city as my own. My word shall be law. If any among you question my right, then return to this place in one year's time. You will find me prepared to face your challenge."
And thus the new ruler of Dardessis selected. He proved to care little about government, and left the decisions to wiser heads. And true to his word, he stood each year to face his challengers. He ruled the city for five years, before laying down his blade. Each new ruler after him followed the same pattern. Over years the contest evolved. Single combat became group contests. The tournament arose to cope with the sheer number of challengers that arose each year.
Each year, the tournament is called, and all those who wish to participate gather in the marketplace, and stand before a statue of the first gladiator-ruler.
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
It is not too late at all, arcanaman. I am going to keep this campaign in the development stage for a while--at least a couple more weeks--and see who sticks with it long enough to demonstrate who is really committed to the idea. So for right now, I am accepting all-comers. I have heard from about 6 or 7 people expressing interest in the project, but hafrogman, dystmesis, and Tarau are the only ones who have made meaningful contributions so far, and one of the criterion for being in the group will be making meaningful contributions.
I love the history entry for Dardessis, hafrogman. I am enjoying this a lot. Please contribute more ideas, everyone.
Here's an idea for a character class. It is incomplete, but the general idea is there.
Edit: Class is finished.
Bestial Champion
While the druids command the raw powers of nature and the rangers seem to bond with the land itself, the bestial champions form a link to all natural creatures. Though bestial champions may come from all walks of life, they are found most commonly among those raised in wild lands where the link between man and animal is more natural. They are renowned throughout the world for their skill in animal handling and taming, as well as their cunning at slaying more dangerous creatures.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Proficient with all simple and martial weapons plus light and medium armor and shields (but not tower shields).
Animal Companion: as druid.
Wild Empathy: as druid.
Bestial Aspect 1/day (Ex): At 1st level a bestial champion may gain a +2 bonus to any physical ability score for a number of rounds equal to 3 + his Con modifier (minimum 1 round) as a swift action. If he improves his Constitution score, he uses his improved Con modifier to determine the duration. A bestial champion may use this ability one additional time per day per four levels (2/day at 5th, 3/day at 9th, 4/day at 13th, and 5/day at 17th). A bestial champion may not use this ability to improve more than one ability at once (but see secondary bestial aspect, below).
Bestial Charm (Sp): At 2nd level, a bestial champion can use charm animal 1/day as a spell-like ability. A bestial champion may speak with any animal he has charmed as if using speak with animals. A bestial champion can use this ability one additional time per day for every two levels.
Bestial Sway (Sp): At 3rd level, a bestial champion can use suggestion 1/day against any creature of the animal, magical beast, or vermin type. The creature need not be able to understand the bestial champion, and this can even affect creatures that are normally immune to suggestion. A bestial champion can use this ability one additional time per day per four levels (2/day at 7th, 3/day at 11th, 4/day at 15th, and 5/day at 19th).
Bestial Dominion (Sp): At 5th level, a bestial champion can use dominate animal 1/day as a spell-like ability. A bestial champion may use this ability one additional time per day per six levels (2/day at 11th and 3/day at 17th).
True Companion: At 6th level, a bestial champion gains the Leadership feat, but only for the purpose of acquiring a cohort of the animal, dragon, magical beast, and vermin type. In addition, he may only acquire followers of the animal, magical beast, or vermin type. If the bestial champion wishes, this creature replaces his animal companion and henceforth is always of the highest possible level or advancement.
Greater Bestial Aspect (Ex): At 8th level, a bestial champion's bestial aspect bonus improves to +4.
Summon Beasts (Sp): At 10th level, a bestial champion may use summon nature's ally V 1/day, but only to summon animals, magical beasts, or vermin.
Imbue With Bestial Aspect (Su): At 12th level, a bestial champion may use a standard action to grant one ally within 30 feet the benefit of his bestial aspect for a number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. This uses up one use of his bestial aspect for the day.
Summon Greater Beasts (Sp): At 14th level, a bestial champion may use summon nature's ally VII 1/day, but only to summon animals, magical beasts, or vermin.
Secondary Bestial Aspect (Ex): At 16th level, a bestial champion may use his bestial aspect to improve two physical ability scores, but only when he gains the benefit himself.
Call Bestial Followers (Su): At 18th level, a bestial champion may summon any of his followers (those gained through his True Companion ability) to his side instantly a number of times per day equal to his Charisma modifier. He may summon a number of followers whose hit dice are equal to or less than his bestial champion level.
Perfect Bestial Aspect (Ex): At 20th level, a bestial champion gains a +6 to all three physical ability scores when using his bestial aspect and the duration is for twice his newly improved Con modifier.
I've just made some adjustments to the bestial champion class. It should be basically complete now. If you haven't taken a look at it yet, do so now. I've got some ideas for a haunted barrow in the Moorlands as well. I might roll out a write-up for that later this week. Would you all be interested in moving into character creation? I'd still like for each of you to contribute write-ups from time to time, but perhaps creating characters might stimulate some ideas.
Please do not spare us your input, hafrogman. As long as you don't make sweeping generalizations that would preclude others from making their own creative input, feel free to contribute as much as you like. For instance, you could develop a district of Narovan, a guild within Dardessis, a wayside inn on the highway, a geographical feature, or a type of creature easily without impinging upon anyone else's creative space. I will guide this project to be open to new ideas. If I note anything that resembles a guiding theme such as "all wizards in a 300 mile radius are persecuted openly," I would put this to discussion and require unanimous group agreement before including it as canon for our campaign. A small city with such a stipulation would be more negotiable and could fit easily into the landscape.
The dream theme for instance, is something we have been discussing. So far, we have only discussed adding a few dream-based elements to the campaign: the dream blade, dream wraith, and the historical Dreamer character. None of these elements really seem to hamper creative input so I am OK with them for now (and if you feel any of them do hamper you, please tell me how so we can discuss whether it is possible to accommodate you). I won't promise to be all things to all people, but I do think it should be possible to develop a world that everyone feels an attachment to.
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