[Epic] The Mirror of Days (Updated!)

[electric-ant]

*twitch* *twitch*

Any room?

*twitch* *twitch*

 

[Dark Eternal]

Do you allow ECL races and if so what ECL values to use?

ELH ones ? MM2 ones ? DMG ones ? Monsters of Faerun ones ? FRCS ones ? Savage Species ones ? For the most part these sources are rather incompatable ELH ones are low compared to MM2 which is low compared to Savage Species the DMG and Monsters of Faerun have numerous conflicting ECLs for the same races.

Very good question. I do allow ECL races, although I generally tend to prefer that exotic races not outnumber core races in any given party. I am, however, almost always willing to make exceptions for the sake of a good character.

Of the resources you mentioned, I've had the chance to study in detail all except the Monsters of Faerun and the FRCS; although I do have access to these, I've never really examined either closely.

Of the others, I am most in agreement with Savage Species, so I would suggest using it as a primary resource for exotic race selection.

And, I'd be more than happy to have you.


I'd also be glad to have Calim, Keia, and electric-ant on board. A pleasure to meet you all!



I will want to call my limit for main characters right there, I think... seven is just about a perfect number for me. *wicked grin*
I'll allow one more main character, assuming Arknath is still willing to move from a main character slot into a cohort position (which I will assume, unless I hear otherwise).

Depending on the character submissions I receive, I may very well have openings for other cohorts, of course, as well as wanting to have a list of replacements who can join in the event of losing one or more main characters.

Anyone who would be willing to go onto a replacements waiting list, or be considered for a cohort position, please post and inform me of such.

Otherwise, my starting roster's going to look like this:

Main Players
Rino
'o Skoteinos
Kalanyr
Calim
Keia
electric-ant
Arknath

Cohort Players
Recruiting


Ok, those of you who have Main Character positions: we need to decide on a number of factors, yet. I'd like everyone to have a say in determining the level and style of the game, so everyone throw in your two cents worth, even if it's nothing more detailed than "whatever."

The setting will be unique; consider it to be a generic world, with whatever potential modifications and alterations are necessary to accommodate the character concepts that you all provide. The only things set in stone regarding setting at this point are:

1: It is a Prime material world, using standard D&D cosmology.

2: It's very large, with massive potential for diversity. Any race, class, or prestige class from the WotC products (and quite possibly a large number of 3rd party publisher products, as well) can be accomodated. Somehow. Details can be worked out as we go.

3: There's no cap on level in this setting, although there are prerequisites for attaining Epic level. It's not simply a case of gaining enough xp to reach 21st level and then training for a while. Some kind of process is required to make the transition; all Epic characters should allow for this in the character backgrounds. Details can be worked out either in mass amongst yourselves (and me, of course) or on a case by case basis for each character, as you all prefer.

4: As a result of number 3 above, there will be things your characters (no matter what starting level we choose) simply don't know about the world. The highest movers and shakers in the setting are very deeply hidden in shadows that not even your characters will have been able to fully penetrate. You may, of course, have your suspicions. Feel free to improvise as you see fit.

And, finally, 5: The previous two points not withstanding, your characters will be amongst the most powerful beings in the world. This may be either a very large group, or a very small one, depending largely on the starting level. But design your character concepts with this point in mind.

All of that said, your characters won't necessarily be confined to this world. If you decide en masse that you want to concentrate the game largely on extraplanar affairs, then that's cool. But barring deliberate change of focus through your input, most of the focus will likely be on the Prime Material (if not exclusively your native corner of it... ;P ).

Ok, I'm putting a cork in it for now. Those of you I've ensnared... er, that is, heard from already, let me know what ideas you're thinking of. Those who haven't posted yet, but are interested, post here and we'll see if we can't find some way to work you in.

Thanks, and thanks!

 

[Kalanyr]

Hmm, I have an idea but I need to check a couple of things with you.

What ECL is the Paragon Template (assuming you even allow it) or Divine Rank 0 if you allow it ? I assume DR >0 is probably not gonna be allowed due to Alter Reality and similar powers.

 

[electric-ant]

For level, I don't have a huge preference, but since the game I'm running is 26th, I'd like something in the range of 30-34. Past about that gets really ridiculous, since any plot can be broken with the right epic spell and combat turns into an initiative contest to see whoever gets off their uber-extended time-stop followed by a chain of uber-nukes before the other guy.

For style...hmm.....I'd like something along the lines of a novel like the Raymond Feist's later novels, if you've ever read them. Gobs upon gobs of character dialogue, but an equal amount of action and hack-and-slash. A general atmosphere like in the Hall of Worlds (from Raymond Feist; it might be the Hall of Doors, I can't remember) would be fun - dozens of very powerful individuals, who all know each other and are all working at cross-purposes - sort of an elite club. I'm also leaning towards an extraplanar campaign, though if not that would be fine as well.

There's no cap on level in this setting, although there are prerequisites for attaining Epic level. It's not simply a case of gaining enough xp to reach 21st level and then training for a while. Some kind of process is required to make the transition; all Epic characters should allow for this in the character backgrounds. Details can be worked out either in mass amongst yourselves (and me, of course) or on a case by case basis for each character, as you all prefer.

By 'process,' do you mean something similar to the whole Shadow Shoal adventure 'packet' in Dungeon and Dragon a while back when the ELH came out?

For character creation: do we want to have known each other before this adventure or not? Will we all have gone through the same ordeal or what-have-you to reach epic level, or not?

 

[Keia]

Levels 30-34 would be fine with me. I would definitely like a story/combat mix similar to what ant suggested. I would prefer to be a good group (or at least a 'not evil' group).

(currently considering a master smith/wizard tyoe o' character, but will wait until the details are fleshed out).

Keia

 

['o Skoteinos]

I agree with Keia and Ant.

Well, maybe not on the "good" part, but I will settle for not evil .

 

[Kalanyr]

Level 30-34 seems okay to me. Though I'd prefer on the higher side of the range, probably 33 or 34 personally. (Especially with the rather high savage species ECLs).

 

[Arknath]

30-34 seems fine with me...I do like a mixture of combat and story, but love character development and dialogue as well.

If I'm a main character, I was thinking of doing a rogue/thief-acrobat type character...if I'm a cohort, i'll be open to the leader's suggestions

 

[Dark Eternal]

Hmm, I have an idea but I need to check a couple of things with you.

What ECL is the Paragon Template (assuming you even allow it) or Divine Rank 0 if you allow it ? I assume DR >0 is probably not gonna be allowed due to Alter Reality and similar powers.

I'm caught away from my books at the moment, but IIRC, the Paragon Template's ECL is exceptionally high. I'll provide a solid value for it later on today.

I'd prefer not to have divine characters, primarily because some of the plot concepts I've been assembling would require some real tweaking to take demigods into the picture. The obvious exception would be if everyone wants to play a DR 0 character.

For level, I don't have a huge preference, but since the game I'm running is 26th, I'd like something in the range of 30-34.

This seems to be pretty near consensus already, so... pending agreement from Rino and Calim, we'll set character beginning xp at 500,000. Any objections?

For style...hmm.....I'd like something along the lines of a novel like the Raymond Feist's later novels, if you've ever read them. Gobs upon gobs of character dialogue, but an equal amount of action and hack-and-slash. A general atmosphere like in the Hall of Worlds (from Raymond Feist; it might be the Hall of Doors, I can't remember) would be fun - dozens of very powerful individuals, who all know each other and are all working at cross-purposes - sort of an elite club. I'm also leaning towards an extraplanar campaign, though if not that would be fine as well.

I regret to confess that I'm not familiar with the work of Raymond Feist... although after reading this, I soon will be.

I like the idea of the elite club of powerful individuals. The rest of you, give me some feedback on this concept. I think this whole idea would be fun to do; what do the rest of you think?

By 'process,' do you mean something similar to the whole Shadow Shoal adventure 'packet' in Dungeon and Dragon a while back when the ELH came out?

That's one example. In my DM's campaign, we recently made the transition to Epic level. He had a set up where each PC (unbeknownst to any of us!) was a decendent of some kind of "Primal Bloodline", able to trace their direct lineage back to one of seven beings who predated the creation of the universe (which, by the way, finally explained a lot of weird events that we had never been able to figure out... ). Each character had to undergo some kind of "transformation" based on which of the Primal Bloodlines they were decended from. For example, our dwarven priest was entombed alive in a sacred place where the power of Primal Earth was highly potent, and emerged several days later as 21st level. His skin had taken on an earthen appearance, his eyes looked like jewels, and all of his magical equipment had been merged into his body, becoming spell-like and supernatural abilities... it was extremely cool.

Discuss amongst yourself some concepts and mechanics for 'ascending' to Epic level that everyone would enjoy. I'll throw my two cents in where appropriate.

For character creation: do we want to have known each other before this adventure or not? Will we all have gone through the same ordeal or what-have-you to reach epic level, or not?

These questions are entirely up to you all. I'd particularly like to see you guys come up with one idea that you all like, but if you want to work out different methods for your character's 'ascension', then that's fine.

On a side note, it's nice to see an interest in a good / non-evil group of pc's... that will definately make getting things running smoothly much easier.

Ok, let me know if anyone has any more questions. Rino and Calim, please pitch your two cent's worth in regarding starting level and style, and everyone please let me know what post frequency we'd like to agree on for a minimum.

Thanks, all of you - more later!

 

[Arknath]

Idea for transformation...I could have been trapped in an extremely hard to navigate planar prison (I'm an acrobat, but I still steal! ) maybe on Carcenia (sp?), and escaped...something which none (or very few) have accomplished. That would grant me access to the Epic Infiltrator or the Perfect Wight prestige classes...

XP sounds fine and I DEFINITELY like the "elite club" idea.