“Please, come in. Close the door. My name is Gis, and I am Paridon’s head constable.
Paridon is a den of iniquity. Predators prowl the streets, unclean things live in the sewers, and sin is the only being that walks freely. From the ill repute on the street corners, to the thugs in the shadows, to the "artistes" in rich salons presenting obscenity to a barbarous bourgeoisie, the city is choking with an immoral filth.
Paridon is also home.
We know city life, and the city is where we choose to stay. We stay because they value society, know the value of culture, understand that strength is to be had in each other.
It is also because of people like us.
We are Paridon's constabulary. We are a hardy group with a tough job. There is the Enforcer Arm, those who watch over the people, always wary for an attacker. There is the Infiltrator Arm, those who fall into the pit of evil, risking their souls trying to stem the tide of sin from the inside. And then there are the Investigators. Sometimes, a crime occurs that is so mysterious, so bizarre, so unexplainable, that it is turned over to you. Your job is to delve deep into the heart of the mystery, find out whatever the civilized would not, and should not understand, and bring justice.
One company among the Investigators is called the Rose Company. You’ll like them. They are on the rise, and a number of its members are being looked on favorably by the Queen’s elite. Right now, they are bringing in a dangerous, deadly killer from the Clocktower District. I don’t understand all the particulars, but apparently this gnome fellow is able to build vampires. Yes, build them, out of metal. I’m not sure they’ll all come back alive.
Yes, there’s a warning. The Rose Company has quite a bit of turnover. Their mage, Hieran, asked for a desk job. Their tracker, Perrin, also asked for a reassignment, but I had to put him back on the team when Torhan… well… was killed while destroying one of these clockwork vampires. He was a good man, Torhan. In any case, I doubt Perrin will want to stay. But those that remain—Ru, Fr. Berman, Calahan, and Darian—are under consideration by the nobles.
It’s not an easy job. It’s high risk, but high reward, as well. Stick it out, be careful, and you’ll be noticed quickly. But enough about us. What can you bring to the Rose Company?”
* * *
Paridon: The Dark Metropolis is a Ravenloft adventure involving the Investigator arm of the city guard. Paridon is a Renaissance/near-Victorian style city. The Gothic style permeates the architecture, as if the Age of Reason completely passed it by. Most people have never ventured outside the city walls, and would not know the first thing about anything other than urban life. There are enclaves and neighborhoods of a number of different races and people. The style of the campaign is gothic horror, murder mystery, and crime procedural--Think CSI: Las Vegas meets Silent Hill via Name of the Rose.
The game is high on the role playing. I’ll handle all dice rolling. For an idea of how the game feel will be, feel free to read the first story, Paridon Book I: Something Old, Something New.
Priority will be given to the players who completed the first story: industrygothica, Rhun, jkason, Ivid, and kinem. However, I will add a minimum of two new slots for this game.
D&D 3.5 Rules + Complete Series + Monte Cook’s Firearms Rules
5th level characters
28 Point Buy
9,000 GP Starting Wealth
Religion: The dominant religion is the Ezraite religion, steeped in tradition and with various sects within it. Think of a structure similar to the Roman Catholic Church of the middle ages. There are also other cults, traditions, and heresies to be found within the city. Make a good story for it.
Backgrounds will be vital. Don't worry about knowing anything about the Ravenloft campaign world--just know that you've spent most (if not all) of your life in Paridon, and build from there. Also, don’t assume that everything will be just like the Ravenloft campaign world if you know about it. Paridonese is the local native language, but it is typically referred to as “Common.”
In order of preference
Swordsage 5 (yes, I know it isn't allowed, I just want to try Tome of Battle (Book of nine swords) - ignore
Dragonshaman if available as class, I'm not sure whether dragons exist in Ravenloft
Monk 5 (dark feel, but with feats such as Font of Life and similar 'undead resistance' soul staff - good stealth and abilities to complement it - maybe first level of rogue.
Spellthief 5 - rogue for the party or secondary fighter if monk not allowed
Questions:
Does complete includes Complete Scoundrel? I'd try luck feats and skill tricks.
Maybe this one would be best with swashbuckler? I'll post details before and of the week.
Would Ravenloft PrCs be allowed?
Do you allow for 'alternate' feats of the monk such as Pain Touch, Weakening Touch and similar ki abilities to replace normal selection at 2nd and 6th level?
More of that later along with some history...
Last edited by Neurotic; 22nd April 2009 at 08:57 AM..
Complete Mage, Scoundrel, Adventurer, Warrior, Divine, Arcane. That's what I have available, let's stick to those.
As the folks who played the first adventure will tell you, your actions and personality will matter more than your specific powers, so focus on making someone you want to play, and the rest will follow quite naturally.
I don't want to step on anyone's toes, if party already has a rogue, there is no need for spellthief.
Dragon shaman is another matter and you still didn't say if it is allowed (either because yiou don't have the book or because there are no dragons to worship)
Ru's still around, and after all that nigh-raging during our final battle, there ought to be much fun angst for him to deal with. .
The sheet in the original RG should still be accurate, I believe. I threw the brass sword in there, though I'm not sure what its stats might be and / or if it survived being plunged into Ada's boiler-heart. If it didn't, I suspect Ru may be getting a monk weapon made of brass, just in case.
I'm here, IVV. I'll obviously want to come up with a new PC, as Perrin wasn't my own, and Torhen was slain.
PC will likely be a front-line warrior-type; I'll come up with an idea over the next couple days and post him up.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Darian Rose will most definitely be back for round two. Though he could use a new magical whip, since a certain tobacco-spitting comrade thought it'd be a good idea to set his old one ablaze.... after the first use!
Read through this thread as well as the RG for the previous game. Unsure what to play, as it seems almost every position was filled. So I'll throw out my story/personality idea's and leave the character creation portion for another post.
I have two Ideas currently for a character:
The first is Orion Stark
Orion, the son of a veteren Infiltrator who committed suicide a few years ago. Orion is hell-bent on find out what about this city caused his father to commit such a vile act. He sets out to 'chronicle' the mysteries of the city in an attempt to understand the actions of his father, and all the others who have fallen to the temptations of Peridon. For the last three years, Orion has skulked around the city, using only his few advantages over the rest of the city to find out as much information as he can about the mysteries of the city. After being approached by the Rose guard for his skills in covert operations and information gathering, he accepted the offer. (Most likely bard, with a little ranger or rogue. Will use oratory and written skills to provide boosts instead of instrumental)
The second is Fayt Jameson.
Fayt was found half dead in an alley by a priest of the order of 'insert gods name here'. He doesn't remember the horror that left him lying near death in the gutter, and the priest that raised him refused to tell him more. Fayt was raised in this order, and taught to protect the people. He was forcefed the ideals of justice and order until it became so ingrained in him, that he devoted his life to it. Fayt is now a (paladin, cleric, or favored soul) of 'insert god here,' and is dead set on protecting the lives of the innocent, and bringing justice to the demented things that lurk in the shadows of Paridon. He was recently provided a grand opportunity to do just that, as the Rose Guard approached him. He willing accepted the offer, and avidly thanked his god for the opportunity to help the city. (as stated, paladin, cleric, or favored soul of the god of justice, this campaigns equivalent of Heironyeous.)
If either of these ideas work for your game, I will create the character sheet and post it. Let me know, thanks!
These characters have been brought to you by Tiali! A registered trademark of awesomeness Inc.
I do have PHBII, and I'm willing to let it be used as well. You can play a dragon shaman if you want--dragons are near-mythical rare, and certainly no dragons are known to operate in the city. Also, as a heavily urban environment, appearances matter. This means that if you start deviating too much from (demi)human, you will be looked at with extreme suspicion. There is no place in civilized society for monsters, after all.
Here are the present characters in the Rose Company:
Ru Brike, Human Barbarian 1/Monk 4. Main fighter and master athlete. Runs as fast as a horse.
Fr. Brian Berman, Human Cleric 5 of the Ezraite Order of Fate. Pragmatic healer and canny pistoleer.
Darian Rose, Human Rogue 3/Bard 2. Expert in arrests and uncanny interrogator. Very uncanny.
Calahan "the Snake", Human Scout 5. Loose cannon and... shall we say... natural demolitionist.
Calahan "the Snake", Human Scout 5. Loose cannon and... shall we say... natural demolitionist.
As a player who lost a PC to Calahan's "natural" demolitionist abilties, I might change that to "overzealous" demolitionist.
Since PHB2 is allowed, I'm thinking of playing a Knight, or a Knight/Fighter, or Paladin/Knight, or something like that. I'll have a better idea soon, probably get the PC together this weekend.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Last edited by Rhun; 23rd April 2009 at 04:51 AM..
After seeing the roster for the game, I had to rethink my character concept to fit better.
Dwarven Bardarian... No that is not a misspelling. He is half Bard and half *rawwwwwwr*. (Barbarian)
Cliff Hammerstriker- 3 Bard, 2 Barbarian
Grew up under the watchful eyes of a Tavern Keeper, and learned his ways from the guests in the bars and the brawls fought on his turf.
From using anything and everything he could find to 'improvise' his way out of any situation, to singing a ballad that would cause the most stonehearted man to shed tears. He grew in his ways. Through these ways he became a 'legend' amongst the bouncers in town, and eventually amongst all the brawlers in the city. After a fairly nasty brawl within the tavern, Cliff moved out on his own.
By day, he was a 'sweat of his brow' worker, and by night, he worked the streets. Singing hope into the hearts of the populace, and beating the rhythm of justice onto the heads of the wicked.
I'll post the character sheet for review tomorrow. Should I post this here? or in the RG?
Is there still room? If there is, I'm definitely interested in playing(though this is something I'm new to). I only have SRD access atm, that and that PDF on technology I just downloaded thinking it was a link... >.> I'm interested in playing a character dealing with the technology. Was thinking Scout but it's taken(and I don't actually have access to the Completes atm). Leaning towards Rogue or Ranger(though I'm not fond of the divine casting too much)
Question about the firearms: Can they be made of different materials? Like say... a mithril dragon rifle? On that note, can they be masterwork and enchanted? I'm looking at the SRD now to see if I'd be able to figure out an enchanted weapon. Also, would feats and effects that apply to bows apply to guns?
Also, I'm considering a Half-elf marksmen type of character, who can fight in melee in a pinch.
Edit: Thought about it more and have a bit more details about how I'd like things to go.
I'd love if I could take some levels as an urban Ranger who can swap out spellcasting for something else, either more bonus feats or some other class feature such as uncanny dodge or evasion.
Aside from that, I was thinking a half-elf Monk 1/Ranger 2/Rogue 2. Basically took Monk so she could use unarmed strikes if someone closed in on her with a rifle. Basically, I'm trying to make the character one who'd rather shoot from a hidden location and end things quickly, but won't be completely useless once she gets closed on.
Accessible at almost any time: http://www.d20srd.org/index.htm
Complete Arcane
Complete Scoundrel
Complete Mage
Complete Divine
Libre Mortis
Heroes of Horror
Drow of the Underdark
Monster Manual 3.5E
Monster Manual 2
DMG/PHB
Psionics Handbook
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Spell Compendium
Tome of Magic
These I can access rarely:
Complete Adventurer
Complete Warrior
Complete Psionic
Races of Stone
Draconomicon
Complete Champion
A few assorted Monstrous Manuals... I can't recall which ones.
I MAY be able to access the Forgotten Realms and Eberron Campaign settings.
Last edited by Theroc; 23rd April 2009 at 09:17 AM..
Tiali, make him an Olam (dwarven bard) or those viking bards I cannot remember the name of. Skald. Yes. They are proposed as variant bard on Unearthed Arcana. They combine barbarian and bard in single class, barbaric bard.
As for dragon shaman: he only gets natural armor that obviously distinguishes him from humans and it's not obvious at all. His powers are another matter, but then mages to them all the time
At 17th level he gets draconic wings, but that is so far in the future that if we make it he will be well known in the city.
I'll find the class in pdf or o nthe net so you can review it.
History would be fairly straightforward. His parents were part of semi-nomadic tribe, traveling between cities for trade and living off the land. They maintained ancient traditions and stories about mighty dragons.
I'll presume much in adding steel dragon into the city (they are those that a) like humans b) live essentialy whole of their lives in human form and c) never betray themselves to humans, they pose as mages, sorcerors or simple sages and alchemists. If you don't like the addition replace him with 'normal' sage/alchemist/whatever fits you
His parents separated from the tribe over some perceived slight (they were banished) and he grew up on the streets of Paridon. Being outsiders there was precious little his parents could do, but their knowledge of natural herbs and ancient cures served them well. After several lean years they set up a shop and are doing quite well. In the years that followed they attracted several wealthy patrons and one of them was local <insert dragons position>. Another one was Edithomas, gnome alchemist of some renown. Young <insert PC name here> was fascinated with old traditions of his people and was reading all he could about it and pestered his parents about them. In time, adolescent <PC name> showed signs of blessings of the Ancient Ones and his parents knew they cannot teach him anymore. As they don't have access to tribe shamans they turned to their well learned and traveled patron. He took <young padawan> and tought him how to be true dragon heir. <PC name> is stickler for justice and while he looks forward to restoring his family honor once the tribe appears again at Paridon, he joined law enforcement so he could keep the streets vileness of which he felt more then once, as clean as possible.
You can only enter Ollam (from Complete Adventure) at CL7+, it is more of a historian than a warrior skald though. OTOH you can qualify for Warchanter (from Comp. Warrior) at CL 4+ theoretically, practically you probably need Bard2/Barbarian3 or Bard3/Barbarian2 to qualify. I never heard of Skald except as a name for the Bard/Barbarian multiclass.
And as for the dragon shaman i doubt you'll be reaching 17th level anytime soon, heck anytime at all. This is after all Ravenloft.
The question is though, how do you fit such a "Skald" dwarf into the Victorian Paridon. Ditto for the Dragon Shaman. Are they outlanders?
Last edited by Thanael; 23rd April 2009 at 11:47 AM..
IVV, do you have Heroes of Light? Would you allow the Detective PrC from that book? (The PC would only have the 1st level in it, probably an Ari4/Detective1 or Rog4/Detective1, modeled after the picture in Heroes of Light of the Dwarven Detective. He'd probably be an emigrant from Darkon an aristocratic dwarf moving in Paridon's gentlemanly high society, who emulates the methods of the Great Detective. )
Do you allow the Ravenloft Caliban race ? (essentially the half-orc with a new look, think hunchback of notre-dame, igor the henchman etc) My other PC idea would be a caliban urban druid4/rog1 or druid3/rog2 with most of the druid alternate class features of the cityscape web enhancement. (see the link in the post above) He would be a rag-clad street-living prophet of the city called on a vision quest-like mission, perhaps an exile from the mysterious undercity.
Last edited by Thanael; 23rd April 2009 at 02:27 PM..
Basically, I'm trying to make the character one who'd rather shoot from a hidden location and end things quickly, but won't be completely useless once she gets closed on.
Heh.. this is Ravenloft. We're all rendered useless at some point.
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