Higher Level Psionics PbP (Demon with a Glass Hand)

[ethandrew]

I really like what I've seen about your take on divinity in this campaign world. While I see no other formal divine submissions, I would like to tentatively stake my cards for playing a favored soul. My basic concept to this stage would most likely be a "flash-soul", born in a nondescript region of the vast desert, to nondescript parents. As for whether they've been actively hunted and rebuked such attempts, or whether they've just progressed through life unnoticed to this point.

As for diety, I like what I'm seeing with Sin. Given the notion of a nomadic lifestyle in a desert, his portfolio fits best with a pure survival mindset. I'm not keen on running an evil character, but I understand that a flash-soul living in a nomadic desert tribe would have to commit some unsavory acts merely to survive nature or beast.

If you have any questions or pointers, please let me know.

 

[pathfinderq1]

I might be interested in applying for this as well, if there is still room, as one (or two) of my previous games seem to have closed up shop. I have two possible ideas.

1. An non-psionic (or even anti-psionic) warrior-type, either orc or warforged, possibly acting as bodyguard to one of the more non-physical other characters in game. With Barbarian off the class list, would an orc's favored class be fighter or ranger? And are half-orcs in, or just pure-breds?

2. The opposite end of the spectrum- an evolved version of the character I was playing in the now-closed Air Pirates game: an elan psion (kineticist), possibly with some metamind on top. Focused on direct damage on a large scale, the equivalent of an arcane blaster.

Does either of those sound workable/interesting?

 

[Insight]

Also because most of the characters I've seen are nomad-oriented, I'm going to set the campaign initially in that sort of situation.

Does that mean the rest of us should be going with similar character concepts? That makes sense, of course, but that changes what I had been considering (an urban, charisma-focused sneak). Somewhat ironically, going to more of an outdoors-type game was closer to my initial idea (a monk who lives in the wastes).

I'll post a fleshed-out character concept soon.

 

[Nazhkandrias]

Also because most of the characters I've seen are nomad-oriented, I'm going to set the campaign initially in that sort of situation.

Ah, I've been thinking about that. I take it that the Wilderness Rogue class (Unearthed Arcana, d20SRD) is OK? Just for some ranks in Survival, the Assassin class will have plenty of skills useful in both urban and wilderness environments (Rainplume typically drifts between the two, so he could be in either the wilderness or the city at the time of meeting).

 

[Psion]

Considering character concept a little more.

My first thought was Elan; as a bit of backstory I was considering that he might not know who he was in his life before, and it was coming back to haunt him. But that seemed a bit like what Shayuri had going, so it occurred to me that perhaps he knows exactly who he was in his life before, and trying to escape it. Perhaps he was some sort of warlord or marauder. He became an Elan as either some form of punishment or redemption... or both. Perhaps he had the chance to escape, but submitted to the punishment.

I'm leaning towards egoist as the base class; if permissible, I'm considering the variant in the minds eye article swapping out a first level feat for the changeling disguise ability.

Any thoughts on what Elans are like or how well their origins and existence are known in the area? Any thoughts on what the fauna is like in the area (important if I go with egoist)?

 

[Shayuri]

Oh wow...not to butt into a conversation I have no place in, but something about that background idea really is cool, Psion.

Elans are immortal after all. You could do the Nameless One thing, and have this character who was richly, hugely evil...then had a change of heart, but one lifetime wasn't enough to atone for his sins...

Meow.

 

[gabrion]

As much as I like that book and the classes contained therein, I'm shaping this game without them (I could really see them being used obviously, some of the flavor for their abilities makes a LOT of sense for the setting). I'm making this decision because I have seen a lot of them in my games lately and would like a party without for this one.

Fair enough. However, while I hate to press the issue, is there any chance that you might allow feats from that book? Specifically I'm thinking of making an attack of opportunity themed fighter and it would be extremely useful if I could use the martial stance feat to get one stance from that book (although I guess doing so would require getting a maneuver from the other feat, but that would never be used...it would just be to satisfy the requirement of the martial stance feat).

 

[doghead]

ooc - CSPG

An initial outline of Ang. I will have to shuffle a few feats to include the mindblade feat and prereqs. I probably will only take the first one. For Ang, his mind blade is something like the soul of his regular blade - I can't really see him splitting the two. It would also pretty much swallow up all his feats.

I'm not fussed about getting something in return for losing the wings - I like the idea that he has sacrificed them willingly in exchange for some form of freedom.

Of more concern would be evil characters in the party. Ang would probably have a great deal of difficulty working with an evil character, no matter how it was spun. But I figure I'll leave that bridge until we get to it.

I kind of like having almost no magic items. But if that will leave him seriously nurfed, I'll add something like a Belt of Giant Str +6 and a Cloak of Resistance +5.

[sblock=Ang]Troll-bara Ang, chaotic good half-celestial human soulknife 10.

Str 19 (+4) - 14 [6] +4 +1 [L4]
Dex 16 (+3) - 14 [6] +2
Con 18 (+4) - 14 [6] +4
Int 14 (+2) - 12 [4] +2
Wis 18 (+4) - 14 [6] +4
Cha 18 (+4) - 12 [4] +4 +2 [L8, L12]

AC 22 [+9 armour, +2 dex, +1 natural]
* T 13 * FF 20
DR 1/-, 5/magic.

BAB +7/+2
* mw longsword +12/+7 melee (1d8+4)
* +2 longsword +15/+10 melee (1d8+11) when fused with mindblade.

Str +4, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +2, Wis +4, Cha +4.

Spell Like Abilities
HD Abilities
1–2 Protection from evil 3/day, bless
3–4 Aid, detect evil
5–6 Cure serious wounds, neutralize poison
7–8 Holy smite, remove disease
9–10 Dispel evil

Skill Points (4+2+1)*4 + (4+2+1)*9 = 98/108
* Concentrate 14 [10 ranks, +4 con]
* Hide +15 [8 ranks, +3 dex, -1 ACP, +5 comp]
* Listen +14 [10 ranks, +4 wis]
* Move Silently +15 [8 ranks, +3 dex, -1 ACP, +5 comp]
* Spot +14 [10 ranks, +4 wis]
* Tumble +11 [8 ranks, +3 dex]
* Diplomacy +13 [7 cc-ranks, +4 cha, +2 feat]
* Intimidate +15 [8 cc-ranks, +4 cha, +3 feat]
* Sense Motive +13 [7 cc-ranks, +4 cha, +2 feat]

Feats
* Combat Expertise [L1]
* Dodge [human]
* Mobility [L3]
* Spring Attack [L6]
* Skill Focus (Intimidate) [L9]
* Negotiator [L12]

Class Abilities
* Mind blade
* Weapon Focus (mind blade), Greater Weapon Focus (mind blade).
* Wild Talent
* Throw Mind blade
* Psychic strike +2d8
* +2 mind blade
* Free draw
* Shape mind blade
* Mind blade enhancement +2 (Collision, +5 damage)
* Speed of Thought
* Bladewind

Equipment
* mw adamantine longsword (3,315 gp, 1d8, 19–20/x2, 4 lb., Slashing)
* +5 adamantine shadowed/silenced chain vest (37,750 gp, AC +9, DR 1/-, MD 4, ACP –1, 25 lb.)
* travelling outfit[/sblock]

 

[Creamsteak]

I really like what I've seen about your take on divinity in this campaign world. While I see no other formal divine submissions, I would like to tentatively stake my cards for playing a favored soul. My basic concept to this stage would most likely be a "flash-soul", born in a nondescript region of the vast desert, to nondescript parents. As for whether they've been actively hunted and rebuked such attempts, or whether they've just progressed through life unnoticed to this point.

As for diety, I like what I'm seeing with Sin. Given the notion of a nomadic lifestyle in a desert, his portfolio fits best with a pure survival mindset. I'm not keen on running an evil character, but I understand that a flash-soul living in a nomadic desert tribe would have to commit some unsavory acts merely to survive nature or beast.

If you have any questions or pointers, please let me know.

Favored souls are usually derived from the old gods list and not he god-kings list. Did you mean "Set" the old god? Or Drevin, he proxy of Sin? If it's Set, great, no arguement from me. On the other hand if you mean Drevin, I'm not sure I want a favored soul from his beliefs.

Either way I want to detail a bit on Drevin since I've finished a lot of work regarding him.

A little bit on "Sin."

Drevin, the proxy of sin, is the older brother of Karael (the lightforge proxy). Drevin originally was a good guy, and a powerful one at that. In ancient times before the brothers ascended, they fought against an extremely powerful demon known as Demrichai the Ashtalarian. The demons name is Demrichai, his title refers to his mask.

The Ashtalarian mask is a special item that takes a different shape based on it's user. It's a dominator. The whispers of the mask will tempt one with power. The mask is an intelligent item of artifact level power that is very difficult to destroy. If you shattered the mask, any individual piece can whisper to anyone within ten miles. If you leave the mask whole, it can reach out to anyone in the world. As such, despite previous attempts to destroy or hide the mask, it has always eventually been recovered.

Drevin's father was a King in the old world. When the king was killed by Demrichai the Ashtalarian, Drevin and Karael swore a blood oath to see that demon defeated at all costs. In the end, Drevin, Karael, and Kingsmage Valrith were able to overcome the demon. Not yet knowing the power of the mask, the Kingsmage took it for study. Years later Drevin and Karael would have to campaign deep into the land of the prophets in persuit of Valrith and the mask to prevent his acquisition of the Golden Staff of Mok'Danith, the "ancestral warstaff of men."

Mok'Danith was crafted from an angels flesh, bone, and soul. It was created specifically so that men could war against gods. The name Mok'Danith was originally the name of the angel ritually sacrificed to, but aeons ago the word came to refer to mans pride of himself. Historically, Mok'Danith has been the champion staff of the Ur-Priests.

Drevin rushed ahead of his brother into the temple where Valrith (wearing a golden mask) had acquired Mok'Danith. The two fought with incredible power, and they both nearly died. In the end Drevin plunged his blade into Valriths heart. Valrith would have been the first God-King, but was killed during his ritual ascension. Drevin heard the masks call as it dropped to the floor, and unnable to resist in his weakened state, joined with the mask which corrupted his soul to the core. The mask took the form of black steel and was twisted into an expression of a tortured man. Just as the transformation completed, Karael arrived to see his brother's very nature changed by the mask.

And so followed the bloodwar between the two. Eventually both ascended to their current god-king status, though how this came to be is much more secret.

 

[Creamsteak]

I might be interested in applying for this as well, if there is still room, as one (or two) of my previous games seem to have closed up shop. I have two possible ideas.

1. An non-psionic (or even anti-psionic) warrior-type, either orc or warforged, possibly acting as bodyguard to one of the more non-physical other characters in game. With Barbarian off the class list, would an orc's favored class be fighter or ranger? And are half-orcs in, or just pure-breds?

2. The opposite end of the spectrum- an evolved version of the character I was playing in the now-closed Air Pirates game: an elan psion (kineticist), possibly with some metamind on top. Focused on direct damage on a large scale, the equivalent of an arcane blaster.

Does either of those sound workable/interesting?

Both do sound fun. I would be fine with an orcish barbarian (it's off the base class list, but the intent there is mainly because I don't think a lot of barbarian concepts would work well in this world). The idea of a nomadic orc or half-orc barbarian would be interesting. "Harkening back to their ancient ways."

Considering character concept a little more.

My first thought was Elan; as a bit of backstory I was considering that he might not know who he was in his life before, and it was coming back to haunt him. But that seemed a bit like what Shayuri had going, so it occurred to me that perhaps he knows exactly who he was in his life before, and trying to escape it. Perhaps he was some sort of warlord or marauder. He became an Elan as either some form of punishment or redemption... or both. Perhaps he had the chance to escape, but submitted to the punishment.

I'm leaning towards egoist as the base class; if permissible, I'm considering the variant in the minds eye article swapping out a first level feat for the changeling disguise ability.

Any thoughts on what Elans are like or how well their origins and existence are known in the area? Any thoughts on what the fauna is like in the area (important if I go with egoist)?

Since you mentioned fauna, that reminded me I should post some of the artwork I've been inspired by for this. Below is a bit. I'll add some more from another source if I can get around to it.

As far as elans go:

The elan race is split into two groups. One is ancient Elans from the precursor days before the world was sundered. These Elans are more typical to the expanded psionics handbook. The few of these that still live are VERY alien, VERY outcast from normal society. Few know what they are, or where they come from, but they will find it difficult to settle in with nomads or citizens. They have trouble fitting in even with the newer younger Elans, as they come from a completely different world altogether.

The other elan group is the modern Elans. These come from special artificial wombs designed to churn them out in specific numbers to fill rolls within their city states. Most city states have at least a few who usually serve in leadership positions, or as direct underlings to their God Kings. There are even those that were created to serve specifically as concubines, because some particularly unscrupulous God Kings keep huge harems of many races to serve as both sacrifices and lovers.

A few notable city states (Invidia, Acedia, and Luxuria) are populated by a majority of Elans (around 93%). These particular city states rely entirely on artificial womb-created populations to fuel their armies. As such, these Elans are cursed to serve an uncaring and spiteful God King. If they die, they will just increase "production." If they rebel, they will be killed and "replaced." They have little hope, and find little individuality within their city walls. This of course is also one of the reasons that there are elan cults to old gods, because they are looking somewhere else for salvation. There are also some elan nomads, usually either the old elans, or young elans that were "thrown out" or escaped from their god kings city state.