My only trepidation with the engineer concept is that it doesn't lend itself to a very sneaky-jumpy rogue.
Thanks to the trait, perhaps your journeyman can learn to apply his intuitive understanding of engineering principles to the body; quickly identifying and targeting the keystone that supports the whole structure with effective sneak attacks. Maybe "seeing the math" could become the process by which your character seeks to resolve most problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfloyd3
I can tweak Elyra to make her a hand-to-hand combatant, since we may come up short on melee fighters. Let me know your thoughts.
My dragon is a primary melee combatant, as is our half-orc cleric I believe.
Wait, you can't have that! That's Elyra's backstory!
Seriously, if you want to go that route, we could have them be siblings or cousins. Have a look at her backstory and see what you think. No reason they couldn't be strangers -- There must be some number of Varisians whose teen rebellion consisted of leaving their nomadic life to take up, er, a nomadic life.
As noted, I'll drop Elyra's Disable Device and pick up an alternative. Are you leaning more toward a melee-centered rogue or a ranged one? I can tweak Elyra to make her a hand-to-hand combatant, since we may come up short on melee fighters. Let me know your thoughts.
Ack! Sorry 'bout that. I had skimmed Elyra's background, but caught the 'wandering swindlers' part without managing to catch the performers. My bad.
I had thought of Tac's tribe as a more honest lot, where he left them not because they were bad, but because his analytical mind just wasn't right for the instinctual, free-spirits of his kin. But if you want to co-mingle backgrounds, I'd be all for that. And having a cousin in Sandpoint might give Elyra more reason to be visiting?
I haven't finished statting him, but at a thought: Tac didn't have the same moral dilemmas that Elyra had, but since he knew he didn't love performing so much as figuring out how things worked, maybe he begged to accompany Elyra when she left (I think he's going to be slightly younger than her)? She took him along to keep an eye out for him, until he found apprenticeship in the engineering guildhalls.
As for combat, I think I've been looking at melee support. Weapon Finesse and Dodge for feats, I think, hoping to get into flanking position for sneak attacks, so no need to worry about futzing with your ranged stuff.
[quote]
I haven't finished statting him, but at a thought: Tac didn't have the same moral dilemmas that Elyra had, but since he knew he didn't love performing so much as figuring out how things worked, maybe he begged to accompany Elyra when she left (I think he's going to be slightly younger than her)? She took him along to keep an eye out for him, until he found apprenticeship in the engineering guildhalls.
[quote]
That works. There can be some ambiguity, too -- We can make Tac her cousin, and his branch of the family was not quite as criminal. Also, Tac being younger may not have been as aware of it. Elyra may never have discussed it with him in great detail, wanting to spare him, so it might surprise him to know the depth of her feelings on the subject.
Is Tac a permanent resident at Sandpoint? If not, we can leave it that Elyra heard from a mutual acquaintance he was in town, and took the first job headed that way (which, perhaps, happened to be with a PC).
Quote:
As for combat, I think I've been looking at melee support. Weapon Finesse and Dodge for feats, I think, hoping to get into flanking position for sneak attacks, so no need to worry about futzing with your ranged stuff.
OK. And as Ambrus pointed out, the dragon and the priest are melee combatants as well.
Why am I worried about melee combat, anyway? We have a dragon! Admittedly, he has warm brown eyes and a fuzzy coat, but he's still a dragon!
That works. There can be some ambiguity, too -- We can make Tac her cousin, and his branch of the family was not quite as criminal. Also, Tac being younger may not have been as aware of it. Elyra may never have discussed it with him in great detail, wanting to spare him, so it might surprise him to know the depth of her feelings on the subject.
Sounds good. Maybe Elyra ran into Tac's branch during her initial travelling, and when the more-naive Tac expressed an interest in leaving, she volunteered to take him as a means of keeping his idealism intact. Of course, his interests being different than hers, she left him in the hands of the engineers, knowing he could leave word for her at guildhalls if the need arose.
Quote:
Is Tac a permanent resident at Sandpoint? If not, we can leave it that Elyra heard from a mutual acquaintance he was in town, and took the first job headed that way (which, perhaps, happened to be with a PC).
I think long-term temporary. I don't think he did all his training there, but he's been there for quite some time helping with rebuilding the temple. And since he's finally 'graduating,' he left word for her, hoping to re-connect?
Are all our humans Varisian? If so it'd be good if everyone had Varisian as a language. I might be wrong, but I believe it's the default spoken language throughout Varisia.
Ambrus, starting gold for your dragon will be 75 gp.
Proof I shouldn't nap on the couch then stumble in to the computer to post. Ambrus, you starting funds should be max for 3d4 x 10, which is 120 gp, not 75 gp. Apologies for the error.
I stumbled across this thread last night and began reading - it looks really good!
Madam DM, I know you've closed recruiting (and even have a first alternate) but if a spot opens up for me I'd love to play a PF Monk. I'll put my idea here in a spoiler just in case something opens up in the future.
Name: Ancrym Dor Age: 19
Class: Monk Height: 5'0"
Race: Human (Shaonti) Weight: 150 lbs
Size: Medium Hair: Black
Gender: Male Eyes: Green
Align: Lawful Good Skin: Olive
Deity: None
Str: 12 +1 (02p.) Level: 01 XP: 0000
Dex: 16 +3 (05p.) BAB: +0 HP: 09
Con: 12 +1 (02p.) CMB: +1 Dmg Red: 0/anything
Int: 11 +0 (00p.) Speed: 30' Spell Res: None
Wis: 14 +2 (05p.) Init: +9
Cha: 10 +0 (01p.) ACP: -0
AC: Total Base Armor Shld Dex Size Def Nat Misc
16 10 +0 +0 +3 +0 +0 +0 +3
Touch AC: 16 Flatfooted AC: 10
Total Base Mod Misc Special
Fort: 3 2 +1
Ref: 5 2 +3
Will: 4 2 +2
Weapon Attack Damage Critical
Empty Hand +1 1d6+1 20/x2
Nunchaku +1 1d6+1 20/x2
Quarterstaff +1 1d6+1 20/x2
Languages: Common, Shaonti
Human Traits:
* +2 Dexterity
* Bonus Feat (1st Level)
* Skilled (Extra Skill Point at each Level)
* Weapon Training (Longbow)
* Favored Class (Monk)
Monk Abilities:
* Proficiencies: No armor; Monk Weapons may be used as part of
Flurry of Blows
* AC Bonus (Add Wisdom bonus to AC)
* Unarmed Strike (Lethal or Non-Lethal at no penalty, always Armed)
* Flurry of Blows (One extra attack/rnd, all attacks at penalty)
* Bonus Feat (1st, 2nd, and every 4 levels after 2nd)
Character Trait:
* Shriikirri-Quah Totem Spirit (+2 Initiative, +2 Ride)
Feats:
* Acrobatic
* Alertness
* Improved Initiative
Skill Points: 6 (4/Lvl + 1/Lvl FC + 1/Lvl Race)
Skills Total Rank CS Ability Misc
Acrobatics 9 1 3 3 2
Appraise 0 0
Bluff 0 0
Climb 1 1
Craft 0 0
Diplomacy 0 0
Disguise 0 0
Escape Artist 3 3
Fly 6 1 3 2
Heal 2 2
Intimidate 0 0
Knowledge (History) 4 1 3 0
Perception 8 1 3 2 2
Perform 0
Ride 9 1 3 3 2
Sense Motive 8 1 3 2 2
Spellcraft 0 0
Stealth 3 3
survival 2 2
Swim 1 1
Money
PP: 00 GP: 157 SP: 02 CP: 00
Equipment Cost Weight
Monk's Outfit
Quarterstaff 4 lb
Nunchaku (2) 4 gp 4 lb
Sack 1 sp ½ lb
Trail Rations (5 Days) 2.5 gp 5 lb
Waterskin 1 gp 4 lb
Rope (50' Silk) 10 gp 5 lb
Total Weight: 22.5 lb
Light Medium Heavy Over Head Lift Push
Max Weight: 0-43 44-86 87-130 0-130 0-260 0-630
Background
Ancrym Dor was once a proud child of the Shaonti Shriikirri-Quah, the
Clan of the Hawk. As a child he was a typical member of that clan: a
daredevil, a hunter and warrior in training, a magnificent rider of
horses and teller of tales. He was the eldest child of his family, and
the only boy-child. At the age of eight he began putting his childhood
training to use, riding on raids with his father - the clan chief -
and hunting for the clan.
When he was 10, this idyllic life was shattered forever. Ancrym was
designated as lookout when his father led a raid on a rich caravan,
not dreaming that the merchant owner was also a powerful and ruthless
slave trader. Not only was Ancrym's father and his entire party either
killed or enslaved, the trader then tracked the raiding party back to
their encampment and proceded to enslave the entire clan. The clan's
shaman had had a prophetic dream about this event, and met Ancrym as
he raced back to the camp to give warning. The Shaman forced Ancrym to
hide in a concealed gulley. The young man cowered and listened as his
clan - including his mother and two sisters - were brutalized and
captured. The Shaman was deemed to old by the slavers to be worth
taking and was cut down where he stood, his body falling across the
gully and further concealing the hiding place of his young charge. The
old holy man was not finished, however. With his dying breath he pledged
his protection to the young Ancrym; rather than rising to their after-
life the Shaman's spirit infused Ancrym's body, granting him speed
and the affinity of his clan for horseback riding.
Now the only surviving member of his once proud clan, Ancrym took to the
road. He left the life of a raider behind, vowing never to take what
belonged to another unless it was freely given and to protect the weak
and helpless from those who would enslave them. He worked hard to hone
his body into the perfect weapon for this goal, seeking knowledge of
skills and techniques and those who could teach him and help mold him
for his purpose.
Now 19 years of age, Ancrym deems himself ready to begin. His last
teacher led him to the Windsong Abbey to study an ancient manuscript.
Once this task was completed, Ancrym took his leave from his teacher and
began a trip down the coast. He came to Sandpoint a few days ago. As he
interacted with the people there in the course of resupplying and taking
his room for the evening he became aware of a feeling of tension, a wary
look behind the eyes of the residents. Sensitive questioning revealed the
tale of the murders and darkness in the town's past, and Ancrym decided
to stay and participate in the celebration and recovery represented by
the dedication of the new chapel.
Ancrym typically fights with his quarterstaff in one hand and his nun-
chaku in the other, interspersing blows from either with strikes from
knees, feet and head. His style is flowing and fast.
@shayuri: Shall we link backgrounds. I could know you from my NPC contact Chaine (see my background).
We could try that...I'd need some more info though. Is Chaine a native of Sandpoint, or could he be the visiting wizard? If he's native, perhaps he 'referred' Talashia to the visitor when he wasn't sure what to do with her himself.
One thing to bear in mind is that Talashia was sent away when she was quite young...like 11 or 12. This is now years later.
That is his old backstory. You can change what you want
Chaine
Chaine, Varisian Wizard. While there are a number of Varisian sorcerers (some quite famous, in fact) and a considerable amount of Varisian bards, there are very few Varisian wizards. The Varisians are travellers, and not generally suited to the more sedentary life of a scholarly wizard. After all, the Varisians tend to think, if the magic doesn't come naturally to you, why go hunting for it in books?
Chaine is something of an exception. Both of his parents were sorcerers, and even as an infant, Chaine held a deep fascination and abiding love for the wonders of arcana.
Unfortunately, Chaine completely lacked any sort of magical talent. His parents watched him closely, hoping that he'd begin to spontaneously manifest a cantrip or two, perhaps accidentally setting the caravan on fire the way his father had at that age. But Chaine seemed to have not even a glimmer of magical talent.
But during one fateful summer, as Chaine's caravan passed through the sleepy seaside town of Sandport, his life changed. At a local tavern, Chaine tried to pick the pocket of an elderly man who turned out to be a wizard. The old man scared Chaine off with a well-chosen illusion, but the young Varisian lad came back the very next day, his curiosity getting the better of him. He eventually befriended the old man, learning that there were other ways to command the powers arcane than simply being born with it. It could be learned! And what's more, it could be taught.
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Sandpoint is a sizable community in a standard D20 fantasy setting; I'd be terribly surprised to learn that it doesn't already have a handful of known and lesser known NPC spellcasting wizards, sorcerers, bards and adepts living there. Maybe CB could take a look and offer up the name of an appropriate local NPC wizard around which the both of you can base your joint backgrounds. Making pre-existing connections with established NPCs always seems preferable to me.
Okay, I think Tac's done, or at least ready for vetting. I'm always sure I've bungled math somewhere.
I think I wrote the Elyra connection such that it's clear Tac had no idea what was going on but Elyra did (and probably never told him). I actually like that bit a lot because it's a nice example of the 'ooh, shiny puzzle!' mindset I conceive Tac as having, which is the real reason he's Neutral. He's good at heart, but generally so preoccupied with whatever the next puzzle is, he just doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about morals or ethics. Thus the trouble he narrowly avoided with his family.
You now occupy the first alternate position, if you're interested. I may still have your e-mail address floating around--if space opens up, shall I e-mail you?
I recently moved and I'm currently easing back into gaming but I am interested in your game CB and alt works pretty well. I'll hold off on a character concept until one is needed. My email address has not changed.
My two-year-old daughter wasn't feeling well today, so I haven't been able to continue reading through character sheets for most of the day. Though, in between bouts of Tylenol and snuggling, I do seem to have somehow polished off the entire 420+ page book Twilight. That's my (semi-) guilty pleasure for the week, I guess. Nothing like a good teenage vampire romance novel...
I'll pick up with the character sheets after bedtime tonight. Hang tight, folks.
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