(CSRHoD) CS's Red Hand of Doom [OOC]

[Pinotage]

By the looks of things we have:

Dwarven Barbarian
Aasimar Cleric of Kord
Tiefling Warlock

How the latter do are going to get along is going to be interesting!

Anyway, I'm a long-time PbP player, although I've never played here on ENWorld before. I was thinking a straight-up human rogue to fill the other 'role' as it were. Two-weapon fighting-type, I think, perhaps with a few levels of fighter at some point. DM, does that sound all right?

Pinotage

 

[Arkhandus]

Cool!

I'd like to propose a human or halfling swordsage, focused mainly on Shadow Hand with some dabbling in other disciplines, who might multiclass into Rogue, Fighter, or Wizard, I'm not sure yet..... Alternately a dwarven swordsage focused on Stone Dragon and Setting Sun.

I know at least most of the handful of maneuvers/etc. that should generally be avoided; I'd just love the chance to try a swordsage.

 

[Pinotage]

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it a little more, it'll be quite fun to play a druid. I haven't played one of those in a while. I think it depends on what we need most as a group.

Pinotage

 

[Redclaw]

I would also like to sign on for this, although I have recently finished the 4th chapter of the adventure with my face-to-face group. I tend to be pretty good at avoiding ooc knowledge creeping into my play, however, so I hope you'll let me take another stab at the campaign.
As for a character concept, I am most interested in playing a human swordsage of the Tiger Claw discipline. I have him mostly worked up in my mind already (dual-wielding kukri and using Blood in the Water as his standard stance.) As Arkhandus has already put in for a swordsage, that probably puts us in competition, or makes for an unusual group dynamic.
With that in mind, I could alternatively play a high elven wizard. I'll work on both unless you want me to focus on one or the other, Creamsteak.

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Here is my character concept.

I am a young soldier from Brindol. As a child, I was always fascinated by the tales of old Rhestilor my uncle would tell us around the hearth, and I wanted to one day join the Army of Brindol to help restore the glory of the fallen kingdom.

However, basic training was a rude awakening, and I came to realize that our leaders were more interested in securing their own petty fortunes than in taming the land. When I was assigned to guard Brindol's foodstores--largely to keep hungry citizens from trying to pilfer a bite to eat here and there--my disillusionment threatened to squash my nationalistic spirit.

To avoid a growing cynicism, I decided to set out with a group of adventurers I recently met while drowning my sorrows at one of Brindol's drinking establishments. Certainly this is a better way than guarding foodstores to experience the glories of old Rhestilor. But it means going AWOL, and now I can't return to Brindol as anything less than a hero.

All doubts vanished once I hit the open road with my new friends. The air is cool and fresh, the sun is shining, and birds swoop in the air overhead. Though, to tell the truth, that forest up ahead does look unnaturally dark...



I have not played or read the Red Hand of Doom, so I would be happy to change any details of the above to fit with the setting. BTW, this character would be a male human fighter.



Edit: To account for the fact that we would be starting at 5th level, my mysterious old "uncle" was himself a grizzled old veteran who, seeing my fascination with his tales of old Rhestilor, took it upon himself to train me rigorously in my early teen years. Because of this, I entered the Army already more skilled than my peers and became a quick study during basic training. Although my superiors recognized my advanced skills, I didn't come from one of the "right" families in town, so I was relegated to guarding the foodstores.

Of course, what my "uncle's" real history and motivations are is up to the DM.

 

[Redclaw]

So, I just spent an hour foodshopping, and in that time I have come to truly embrace the elven wizard concept. I will add crunch and fluff to this post as I add to my concept, but here it is so far.
Larian grew up in a high elf forest village, which had lost a large portion of its population during an orc invasion of a neighboring human country shortly before his birth. As a result of this tragedy, the elders of his village cut off all ties with the outside world, prefering to live in the peace of their forest. Larian was never truly satisfied with the isolationism of his elven community. He studied the history of conflict enough to know that evil armies attacked anyone in their way, not just those who allied themselves with each other.
Larian studied magic and, when he had reached a reasonable level of training, left the elven forests to journey into the human lands to the West. He hoped to learn more of the humans and their allies, the better to utilize their strengths when future conflicts arose. He quickly met a diverse group of adventurers and joined their ranks. together they travelled and grew in ability by facing a number of challenges. Larian learned to respect and value each member of the party, and came to understand that these short-lived races have strengths that rival those of the elves. He even became convinced that they would be worth admiring if they weren't so short-sighted.

Obviously, Larian is a bit haughty in regards to all non-elves. He is likely to be a bit patronizing in certain circumstances, but willing to see and acknowledge strengths. I see him as a wizard focused more on subtlety and outsmarting/outmaneuvering opponents than on flashy explosions (although he'll use those once in a while, too.)

One or two quick questions about the rules changes mentioned earlier. As I read it, I can create any items that I have the requirements for (caster level and spells known), without paying xp. Does this mean that for any items (scrolls, wands, etc.) that I have the ability to create that I can buy them for 1/2 price with my starting gold?
Secondly, you mention feats and equipment outside core needing approval, what about spells?
Oops, I found another one. Since item creation feats are gone, are their any other options with the wizard bonus feats? Spell focus, spell penetration, etc.?

 

[James Heard]

This is just a placeholder until I have something more solid to propose, just to say I'm interested.

 

[Creamsteak]

I'd like to go for a dwarven barbarian, specialised in cave-fighting. Maybe belonging to one of the older clans that still lives deep inside the mountains? He'd be interested in exploring the old dwarven ruins, maybe dreaming of one day reclaiming them.

Falls in line with my plans fine.

 

[Creamsteak]

By the looks of things we have:

Dwarven Barbarian
Aasimar Cleric of Kord
Tiefling Warlock

How the latter do are going to get along is going to be interesting!

Anyway, I'm a long-time PbP player, although I've never played here on ENWorld before. I was thinking a straight-up human rogue to fill the other 'role' as it were. Two-weapon fighting-type, I think, perhaps with a few levels of fighter at some point. DM, does that sound all right?

Pinotage

No problem.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it a little more, it'll be quite fun to play a druid. I haven't played one of those in a while. I think it depends on what we need most as a group.

Pinotage

Also fine. I may be using an alternate rule for the druid that I'm not certain of yet. I'm considering taking away a druids nature sense at first level and instead giving them favored environments ala unearthed arcanna. Does that seem interesting at all?

 

[Creamsteak]

I would also like to sign on for this, although I have recently finished the 4th chapter of the adventure with my face-to-face group. I tend to be pretty good at avoiding ooc knowledge creeping into my play, however, so I hope you'll let me take another stab at the campaign.
As for a character concept, I am most interested in playing a human swordsage of the Tiger Claw discipline. I have him mostly worked up in my mind already (dual-wielding kukri and using Blood in the Water as his standard stance.) As Arkhandus has already put in for a swordsage, that probably puts us in competition, or makes for an unusual group dynamic.
With that in mind, I could alternatively play a high elven wizard. I'll work on both unless you want me to focus on one or the other, Creamsteak.

That's fine.

So, I just spent an hour foodshopping, and in that time I have come to truly embrace the elven wizard concept. I will add crunch and fluff to this post as I add to my concept, but here it is so far.
Larian grew up in a high elf forest village, which had lost a large portion of its population during an orc invasion of a neighboring human country shortly before his birth. As a result of this tragedy, the elders of his village cut off all ties with the outside world, prefering to live in the peace of their forest. Larian was never truly satisfied with the isolationism of his elven community. He studied the history of conflict enough to know that evil armies attacked anyone in their way, not just those who allied themselves with each other.
Larian studied magic and, when he had reached a reasonable level of training, left the elven forests to journey into the human lands to the West. He hoped to learn more of the humans and their allies, the better to utilize their strengths when future conflicts arose. He quickly met a diverse group of adventurers and joined their ranks. together they travelled and grew in ability by facing a number of challenges. Larian learned to respect and value each member of the party, and came to understand that these short-lived races have strengths that rival those of the elves. He even became convinced that they would be worth admiring if they weren't so short-sighted.

Obviously, Larian is a bit haughty in regards to all non-elves. He is likely to be a bit patronizing in certain circumstances, but willing to see and acknowledge strengths. I see him as a wizard focused more on subtlety and outsmarting/outmaneuvering opponents than on flashy explosions (although he'll use those once in a while, too.)

Seems right in line with everything.

One or two quick questions about the rules changes mentioned earlier. As I read it, I can create any items that I have the requirements for (caster level and spells known), without paying xp. Does this mean that for any items (scrolls, wands, etc.) that I have the ability to create that I can buy them for 1/2 price with my starting gold?

You can craft your own gear, scribe your own scrolls, or brew your own potions. But for starting treasure you still pay full price. I prefer to think of the starting gold as "how much wealth worth of gear does this character have" rather than as how much gold was spent. So the fighter/blacksmith could have crafted his own sword, but for starting gear it counts towards full price.

Secondly, you mention feats and equipment outside core needing approval, what about spells?

Non-core spells need approval.

Oops, I found another one. Since item creation feats are gone, are their any other options with the wizard bonus feats? Spell focus, spell penetration, etc.?

Yes, spell focus/penetration would be fine replacements.