[OOC] Planescape: Divided We Stand

[Hella_Tellah]

I'm somewhat interested. I've been wanting to play a Warforged for a while now, but I'm at a loss for the class atm. I generally enjoy playing Bards and Cloistered Clerics. Artificer seems the way to go (given that everyone else is some kind of caster); I'm looking for something I haven't played (ie Core). Given that I'm starting at level 1 with a cap at 5-6, most interesting "builds" wouldn't get off the ground. I may need to do some research.

Hmm...

I'm "borrowing" this idea from a few games currently running as well as some pop culture... it's going to involve the Egyptian pantheon somehow.

Welcome!

Play whatever you like, but don't feel like you have to play a caster to keep up. The planes tend to screw with casters to a really large degree, actually. I'm not planning on capping things at 5-6, but it's more of a recognition of the limits of PbP. We probably won't get past those levels for a very long time.

The central question in Planescape is not "What can you do?", it's "What do you believe?" Planescape is about the power of belief to change the world. What does your character believe? Does your character believe that one great work of art can bring immortality? Is devotion to a deity's code the greatest honor a mortal can have? Does the artisan's soul live on in his works? Does your character live out his life in order to weigh lightly in Osiris' scales? What would be the most effective character for expressing that?

 

[Theroc]

I Artificer seems the way to go (given that everyone else is some kind of caster);

Viktor isn't a spellcaster, he's a Lycanthrope.

 

[Voda Vosa]

Stats for Feleghost: Rolls

 Name: Feleghost
Class: Rouge
Race: dwarf
Size: Medium
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral 


Str: 14 +2 (  )     Level: 1        XP: 0
Dex: 16 +3 (  )     BAB: +0         HP: 9 (1d6+3)
Con: 17 +3 (+2)     Grapple: +2     Dmg Red: 0
Int: 14 +2 (  )     Speed: 20'      Spell Res: 0
Wis: 12 +1 (  )     Init: +3      Spell Save: +1
Cha: 03 -4 (-2)     ACP: 0         Spell Fail: 5%

               Base  Armor Shld   Dex  Size   Nat  Misc  Total
Armor:          10    +3    +0    +3    +0    +0    +0    16
Touch: 13              Flatfooted: 15

                           Base   Mod  Misc  Total
Fort:                      0     +3          +3
Ref:                       2     +3          +5
Will:                      0     +1          +1

Weapon                Attack   Damage     Critical
Short sword 		+2     1d6+2      19-20x2
Shortbow                +3     1d6           20x3

Languages: Common, dwarven

Abilities: 
Rouge: Trapfinding, Sneak attack +1d6, Armor proficiencey (Light and 

Medium), weapon proficiencey (simple, )
Dwarf: Darkvision, +2 apprise checks related to stones and metal, 

Stonecunning(+2 search for stonework), Weapon familiarity, Stability, 

+2 saving throws against poison and spells, +1 attack against orcs an 

goblinoids, +2 cratf related to stone, +4 dodge AC bonus vs giants


Feats: Dodge

Skill Points: 36       Max Ranks: 4/2
Skills                   Ranks  Mod  Misc  Total
Open locks                4    +3          +7
Sleith of hand            4    +3          +7
Tumble                    4    +3          +7
Hide                      4    +3          +7
Move silently             4    +3          +7
Spot                      4    +1          +5
Listen                    4    +1          +5
Craft (Blacksmiting)      4    +1          +5
Disable Devices           4    +1          +5

Equipment:               Cost  Weight
Short sword               10gp   3lb
Shortbow                  30gp  2lb
Flint and steel            1gp    -
Backpack                   2gp   2lb 
Sack x4                    4sp   2lb          
Arrows (40)                2gp   6lb  
Travelers Outfit             
Thieves Tools             30gp   1lb           
Average lock              40gp   1lb
Studded leather armor     25gp    20lb 
                 
Money: ? gp 
                         Weith: 37lb



Age: 74
Height: 1.20 mts
Weight: 90 kg
Eyes: black
Hair: -
Skin: white

 

[Herobizkit]

My character concept will be a Cloistered Cleric who worships Imhotep.

Imhotep embodies that to which my character will aspire - the unique story (to this pantheon) of his mortal ascension will inspire my character to learn how to transcend his mortal shell. He honours the Pantheon as a whole, convinced that there is no One True Way to Ascension. By giving praise to all of the Pantheon, he will hope to earn their favour when he finally learns how to join them.

http://invisiblecastle.com/stats/view/24970/

STR 14, DEX 10, CON 15 (was 13), INT 17, WIS 16 (was 18), CHA 9 (was 11)

 

[Hella_Tellah]

Stats for Feleghost

Thanks for the character sheet, Voda Vosa!

I don't want to step on your toes if you've got a good idea going, but are you sure you want to play a character with a Charisma of 3? This game is likely to involve a lot of roleplay, and I don't want you to feel sidelined. You're definitely welcome to play a spectacularly uncharismatic character if you like, but I'm concerned that dumping Charisma that much could make the game less enjoyable for you.

My character concept will be a Cloistered Cleric who worships the whole Pharaonic pantheon.

Interesting! I can't wait to see those ideas in play.

I wrote up a few more Keys that are a little more closely tailored to the Planescape setting. Since they are the main way your character advances, be sure to consider what kind of actions and situations you want to see your character in often. Please feel free to use any of the ones I've posted, or write up your own!

[sblock=More Keys]
Key of the Clueless (Motivation/Hindrance)
Your character doesn’t know much about the planes.

• Gain 1 XP every time your character learns something about the planes.
• Gain 3 XP when your character’s lack of knowledge about the planes harms or inconveniences him.
• Buyoff: Get a proper education.

Key of the Indep (Connection)
Your character actively avoids entanglements with Factions.

• Gain 1 XP every time your character makes a decision to avoid a Faction.
• Gain 2 XP when your character’s lack of affiliations costs him something.
• Gain 5 XP when your character's decision to stay independent costs him dearly.
• Buyoff: Join a Faction.

Key of the Xaositect (Motivation)
Your character is peanut squiggle 可愛い flatline! Give rumble the throat bearer.

• Gain 1 XP every time you make the Planes a little more chaotic.
• Gain 3 XP when you embrace chaos against your own best interests.
• Buyoff: Cooperate with a lawful order.

Key of the Restless Wanderer (Motivation)
Your character lives to see new things.

• Gain 1 XP each time you go to a new plane.
• Gain 3 XP when you experience something rare and wondrous.
• Buyoff: Settle down and set up kip somewhere.

Key of the Mute (Hindrance)
Your character hardly speaks at all.

• Gain 1 XP whenever you go through a social scene without speaking a word.
• Gain 2 XP when you remain silent to your own peril or detriment.
• Gain 5 XP when staying silent brings you great harm.
• Buyoff: Speak your mind.

Key of the Arcane Scholar (Motivation)
You have dedicated yourself to the study of arcane lore.

• Gain 1 XP each time you learn a new spell.
• Gain 3 XP for discovering a powerful secret of the arcane world.
• Buyoff: Refuse to go into harm’s way to learn more about the Art.

Key of the Just (Motivation)
Your character upholds the law in all he does.

• Gain 1 XP every time you bring order to the planes.
• Gain 3 XP when you take action for the rule of order against difficult odds.
• Buyoff: Refuse a lawful order.

[/sblock]

 

[Antithetist]

I'm thinking of an Arabic-Mediterranean sort of feel for my character, somewhere between Ancient Greece and the Arabian Nights, with a little dash of Lovecraft (horrors lurking in the desert night and whatnot). I'm looking at him as a sort of vizier in training - physician, astrologer, alchemist, philosopher, courtier. His society placed importance on personal honour, dignity and wisdom, and those values are at the centre of his moral compass. The way that belief and personal will can shape reality in the planes will probably be massively exciting to him, and something of a confirmation of his pre-existing personal philosophy.

 

[Voda Vosa]

Thanks for the character sheet, Voda Vosa!

I don't want to step on your toes if you've got a good idea going, but are you sure you want to play a character with a Charisma of 3? This game is likely to involve a lot of roleplay, and I don't want you to feel sidelined. You're definitely welcome to play a spectacularly uncharismatic character if you like, but I'm concerned that dumping Charisma that much could make the game less enjoyable for you.



Interesting! I can't wait to see those ideas in play.

I wrote up a few more Keys that are a little more closely tailored to the Planescape setting. Since they are the main way your character advances, be sure to consider what kind of actions and situations you want to see your character in often. Please feel free to use any of the ones I've posted, or write up your own!

[sblock=More Keys]
Key of the Clueless (Motivation/Hindrance)
Your character doesn’t know much about the planes.

• Gain 1 XP every time your character learns something about the planes.
• Gain 3 XP when your character’s lack of knowledge about the planes harms or inconveniences him.
• Buyoff: Get a proper education.

Key of the Indep (Connection)
Your character actively avoids entanglements with Factions.

• Gain 1 XP every time your character makes a decision to avoid a Faction.
• Gain 2 XP when your character’s lack of affiliations costs him something.
• Gain 5 XP when your character's decision to stay independent costs him dearly.
• Buyoff: Join a Faction.

Key of the Xaositect (Motivation)
Your character is peanut squiggle 可愛い flatline! Give rumble the throat bearer.

• Gain 1 XP every time you make the Planes a little more chaotic.
• Gain 3 XP when you embrace chaos against your own best interests.
• Buyoff: Cooperate with a lawful order.

Key of the Restless Wanderer (Motivation)
Your character lives to see new things.

• Gain 1 XP each time you go to a new plane.
• Gain 3 XP when you experience something rare and wondrous.
• Buyoff: Settle down and set up kip somewhere.

Key of the Mute (Hindrance)
Your character hardly speaks at all.

• Gain 1 XP whenever you go through a social scene without speaking a word.
• Gain 2 XP when you remain silent to your own peril or detriment.
• Gain 5 XP when staying silent brings you great harm.
• Buyoff: Speak your mind.

Key of the Arcane Scholar (Motivation)
You have dedicated yourself to the study of arcane lore.

• Gain 1 XP each time you learn a new spell.
• Gain 3 XP for discovering a powerful secret of the arcane world.
• Buyoff: Refuse to go into harm’s way to learn more about the Art.

Key of the Just (Motivation)
Your character upholds the law in all he does.

• Gain 1 XP every time you bring order to the planes.
• Gain 3 XP when you take action for the rule of order against difficult odds.
• Buyoff: Refuse a lawful order.

[/sblock]

Well, it's what was rolled, either way I'll have to put a 5 in another stats, although having WIS or INT of 5 is not better than having a 3 in CHA.

 

[HandofMystra]

Thanks for the character sheet, Voda Vosa!

I don't want to step on your toes if you've got a good idea going, but are you sure you want to play a character with a Charisma of 3? This game is likely to involve a lot of roleplay, and I don't want you to feel sidelined. You're definitely welcome to play a spectacularly uncharismatic character if you like, but I'm concerned that dumping Charisma that much could make the game less enjoyable for you.

I like the interpretation that a low CHa can mean not that people don't like you (which can be interesting to RP) but that your "force of personality" is weak. So that no one pays attention to what you say. I would play that with NPCs that you do not know you are "socially invisible," you are in a group and no one asks you your opinion but that in a group that knows you, people hear what you have to say.

 

[Shayuri]

Yeah. He's a creep. He's a weirdo.

...what the hell is he doing here?

He doesn't belong here.

...

Hee.

 

[Hella_Tellah]

I'm thinking of an Arabic-Mediterranean sort of feel for my character, somewhere between Ancient Greece and the Arabian Nights, with a little dash of Lovecraft (horrors lurking in the desert night and whatnot). I'm looking at him as a sort of vizier in training - physician, astrologer, alchemist, philosopher, courtier. His society placed importance on personal honour, dignity and wisdom, and those values are at the centre of his moral compass. The way that belief and personal will can shape reality in the planes will probably be massively exciting to him, and something of a confirmation of his pre-existing personal philosophy.

Love it! I've always been a big fan of the Arabic/Mediterranean feel in fantasy, and the thought you've put into his personal philosophy is just the sort of thing I want to read.

Well, it's what was rolled, either way I'll have to put a 5 in another stats, although having WIS or INT of 5 is not better than having a 3 in CHA.

Yup, that's a tough row to hoe, there. You might consider making a Key that plays to that flaw, just to sort of even things out on that front. Entirely up to you how you want to play that, too--he could be cripplingly shy, horrifically ugly, borderline autistic, just plain annoying, or whatever. I just wanted to be sure we're on the same page in terms of what it means for the character; I want to make sure that you can still have fun playing the character, no matter what the stats.

I like the interpretation that a low CHa can mean not that people don't like you (which can be interesting to RP) but that your "force of personality" is weak. So that no one pays attention to what you say. I would play that with NPCs that you do not know you are "socially invisible," you are in a group and no one asks you your opinion but that in a group that knows you, people hear what you have to say.

That's a good interpretation, too. I definitely don't want to paint Feleghost as 100% ineffectual in social interactions, because that'll sideline him an awful lot. -4 to checks is fairly serious, but a good circumstance bonus or two can even things out pretty quickly.

Thanks everyone for your interest so far! I'm really enjoying the ideas you folks are bringing to the table.