Celtic Dreams : calling alternates.

[Michael Tree]

Do you have room for one more player?

The idea I have for a character is akin to Gwydion from the Mabinogion. A warrior who has magical abilities because of his supernatural heritage. Not D&D flask-boom FX, but the kinds of powers you have in the celtic folktales: shapeshifting, transforming things into other things (transforming people into animals, creating a wooden shield from a brown toadstool, etc.), otherworldly sight, curses, geasa, speaking with animals and stones, illusions and glamours, that sort of thing. I have no idea how to do that with standard D&D rules though. Maybe with an OA shaman or some 3rd party core class.

In your conception of geasa do you also include death prophecies? A prophecy of how someone will die, tied up in allegorical or strikingly literal language, like the prophecy that Macbeth would be killed by a man not of woman born. I've used these in Ars Magica games, and they're lots of fun if sufficiently broad to give the character a fright.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Do you have room for one more player?

The idea I have for a character is akin to Gwydion from the Mabinogion. A warrior who has magical abilities because of his supernatural heritage. Not D&D flask-boom FX, but the kinds of powers you have in the celtic folktales: shapeshifting, transforming things into other things (transforming people into animals, creating a wooden shield from a brown toadstool, etc.), otherworldly sight, curses, geasa, speaking with animals and stones, illusions and glamours, that sort of thing. I have no idea how to do that with standard D&D rules though. Maybe with an OA shaman or some 3rd party core class.

smacks of Druidism.

 

[Mithreander]

"Ask and you shall recieve: if any material object that he has is asked for, and is not given by him, then death will take the only thing of true value to him."

Hows that?

I was thinking either Improved Unarmed Combat as a bonus feat, or just a +2 to Dexerity... I think I like the +2 to Dexerity better.

I'm going to change my character around a little (feats mainly).

Edit: Is there a character thread yet? Rogue's Gallery?

 

[Alcareru]

Accursed double post!

 

[Alcareru]

Give the man a banana, right on the spot.

First of all, nothing is set in stone, if you’re a bit unhappy about a change in a class, or a specific setting issue, let’s hear about it, don’t be afraid, I hardly ever bite people since i started taking the medication.



So far we have 5 potential players, one afraid to take one’s place and another one with a healed ankle and not enough time (Thanks about the tip about the book mate, will check it out, have fun with your new band and if you can’t join, I do realize there’s more to life than this game (but don’t tell my wife I said that))



Tonguez : bard

Alcareru : Priest? (more about that later)

Mithreander : Rogue

Argent : Moon Maiden

Jaik : ranger

Chaos : ?

Uriel :?



Alcareru : the standard cleric doesn’t really fit in well with my view of the celtic world. To touch a priest in anger is to call the wrath of the gods upon your head, only the truly desperate will ever do so. They are not trained in weapons or warfare. Think BAB & HP of wizard, one extra domein, one extra spell per level.

I’m thinking hard about an alternative… I dunno, someone blessed by the gods?. You wouldn’t be part of the official priesthood, maybe even seen as a witch. Tell me what you think.



Campaign planning as I see it : You’ll be a small warband, mercenaries, headed by the moon maiden. To be a moon maiden is to go against evrything society wants women to be. To have a moon maiden in the band gives the band a lot of prestige, and they would be better treated as the ordinary mercenaries butat the same time would make them more feared, as moon maidens are something of a dark past, times best forgotten. The rogue was probably handed over to the band, as the Celts are not into prisons, they have a more hands-on approach, such as a handy wickerman on solstice. You’ll start off at the lake of geneva in a big village, headed by Cailith-Ap-Dréach.



Keep me informed of character concepts as you think about them, and we’ll discuss it. Don’t hesitate to give comments about other peoples characters. With the different adjustments it’s easy to loose track of game balance. I don’t really give a toss, if someone abuses a gap in the rules to powerplay, a bolt of lighning will strike his character repeatedly untill, by the iron laws of storytelling, only a pair of smoking shoes will remain, wether he was wearing ‘em or not.



PS don’t forget about gaesa, if you like’em use ‘em.

I see where youre going. The traditional cleric always seems to be more of a champion. I guess I was leaning abit toward a paladin type.

Anyway Im working just off the srd right now. However, here is a link to a witch class that incorporates arcane and divine spells, and are weak in combat and weapons . Let me know what you think:
http://www.geoste.com/neranian/nerana/witchcraft.htm

 

[Tonguez]

The geasa is fine, but severe. Be very very carefull of who you call friend.


Large size is indeed a bit over the top. However, you are the max height for a human, and get a +2 bonus to str, and you can use two-handed weapons as a one-handed weapon.

Hmm what if I change the gaesa from

"Beware the company you keep and guard your heart lest it should weep
For if you oppose the man you once called 'friend' then shall you meet a dire end"

to

"Beware the company you keep and guard your heart lest it should weep
For if you harm the man you once called 'friend' then shall you meet a dire end"

bit more specific so less severe...

 

[Tonguez]

Actualy It works as is. Her could be carrying some horse meat on her back or a chiuld or injured person from a "horse "tribe. She would never know.

Problem with that Gaesa is the tattoo of the horse on her shoulder - that could be interpreted as her being 'ridden; by a horse - so she dead already!!!

 

[Tonguez]

Cauaros the Giant
Gaul, Bard 3 Height 7’8”
HP3d6 AC9 Init 3

Str16 Con 12 Dex 8 Int10 Wis 15 Cha17

Bab 2 Bm 5 Br 1
Fort 2 Rfx 2 Will 6

Skills (Total/Ranks+ mod)
Appraise 3/3+0, Bluff 4/1+3, Climb 5/2+3, Concentration 4/3+1, Diplomacy 6/3+3, Gather Information 6/3+3, Hide 1/2-1, Knowledge (History) 5/5+0, Knowledge (Religion) 3/3+0, Knowledge (Law) 3/3+0, Listen 4/2+2 Perform 6/3+3, Sense Motive 6/4+2, Speak Language (Latin), Spellcraft 2/2+0, Use Magic Device 4/1+3.

No Ranks Balance (-1), Craft (0), Decipher Script (0), Disguise (3), Escape Artist (-1), ), Jump (3), Move Silently (-1), Profession (2), Sleight of Hand (-1), Swim (3), Tumble (-1),


SA Bardic music, bardic knowledge +5, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +1 Inspire competence, Improved Init, Feat, Feat
Gaesa* (+2 bonus to Str, can use two-handed weapons as a one-handed weapon)

Spells (Save 13 + spl lv)
0-3/6 Read Magic, Message, Lullaby, Light, Detect Magic, Mage Hand
1-1/3 Comprehend Languages, Sleep, ???

Warrior, Poet and Seer Cauaros the Giant is an unusual man. He stands almost 8 feet tall a truly gigantic figure with mighty hands and powerful shoulders, and yet there is a gentleness about him and wisdom in his eyes. His bulk gives him a clumsy gait and also places a tiresome burden upon him, perhaps a sickness even that on occasion has him pause and gasp for air.
Nonetheless his song is beautiful to behold, his voice like the echo of the distant thunder, the deep bass of mountain caves and tumbling rivers and with it he recounts the histories of the tribes, or sings praises of its people and its leaders. Words to inspire and enliven all who hear.

Cauaros was born to the old widow Kimerra the Galatian, his father unknown. When his mother died he was taken in and raised to become a Bard and Keeper of the Law, a role that he takes very seriously. He is methodical and thoughtful, loyal and protective. He enjoys the freedom of the Bards life and his ability and right to step back from the mundane world and observe..

 

[DrZombie]

"Ask and you shall recieve: if any material object that he has is asked for, and is not given by him, then death will take the only thing of true value to him."

Hows that?

A bit much I think, it could be too easily abused by other people. If, in the middle of a fight, someone asks for his sword he'd be screwed.

 

[DrZombie]

Do you have room for one more player?

The idea I have for a character is akin to Gwydion from the Mabinogion. A warrior who has magical abilities because of his supernatural heritage. Not D&D flask-boom FX, but the kinds of powers you have in the celtic folktales: shapeshifting, transforming things into other things (transforming people into animals, creating a wooden shield from a brown toadstool, etc.), otherworldly sight, curses, geasa, speaking with animals and stones, illusions and glamours, that sort of thing. I have no idea how to do that with standard D&D rules though. Maybe with an OA shaman or some 3rd party core class.

In your conception of geasa do you also include death prophecies? A prophecy of how someone will die, tied up in allegorical or strikingly literal language, like the prophecy that Macbeth would be killed by a man not of woman born. I've used these in Ars Magica games, and they're lots of fun if sufficiently broad to give the character a fright.

There's allways room for one more.
As for your character, as I said, a druid as it is described is something more germanic. However, if you wanna play a follower of the Horned God that's fine with me. If that fits exactly with the druid class from the phb, even better .
Word of warning : the horned god is not "the devil", he is an old, old god of nature. Let's say the priests of Lugh won't be very happy for you to openly declare your faith, although the wild tribes in the forests will welcome you with open arms.

the gaesa as you describe 'em are fine with me.

In other words, welcome.