OOC: [4CtF]The Chaos Wars

[RangerWickett]

Hey guys. Interesting adventure idea.

If you only have the old version of FCTF (also known as 4CtF), you can find a quick update file here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=2193&SRC=EnWorld

This provides you with the revised costs for powers. The powers themselves have changed very little, except for a few tweaks designed just to curb powergaming, which hopefully you won't experience. So if you have the older version, you can download this and see what the new costs are. A few things changed a little for the sake of balance, but the original version is still imminently playable.

But the revised version has more stuff, and prettier pictures. On behalf of E.N. Publishing, I heartily recommend you buy the newer, $8 version.

I'll be watching you guys as this progresses.

 

[Caliber]

Thanks Wickett! I actually have the conversion document, but didn't realize it had updated the costs for the powers in the standard DnD universe! I'll have to go back over and see what has changed.

I actually got the idea for this partially from you, in a post where I read a description of how you were using 4CtF in your real life game. So feel free to watch away!

 

[Caliber]

I just looked at the revised document and what do ya know! A lot of the costs not only have changed, it looks like some powers have quite a few things added to them. Use the new costs provided in the document. I'm not sure what we'll do if you want to buy a power listed in there that isn't in the basic version.

I guess we'll have to burn that bridge down when we come to it. Just so no one misses it go HERE to get the update document.

 

[sophist]

I just looked at the revised document and what do ya know! A lot of the costs not only have changed, it looks like some powers have quite a few things added to them. Use the new costs provided in the document. I'm not sure what we'll do if you want to buy a power listed in there that isn't in the basic version.

I don't have 4C2F now, but will try to get it in spite of having no credit card.
This might take some time, though. But I think the conversion document will
give me an idea of the powers and the hero class until then.
I like the concepts of 4C2F - it greatly reminds me of the conversion I did for BIRTHRIGHT bloodlines for my RL Birthright in Scarred Lands Campaign.

I'll post my character sketch in the RG thread in 5 min, so let me know if
there are problems.

Some thoughts:

• you didn't state it explicitly, but I decduced from your explainations that we're dealing with a fantasy world here
• it is ok that you don't want to post your world here, but could you provide us
  with a general map/timeline with maybe some comments. I like to tailor my chars to the world and have a general idea how he would fit into the order of things. Or do you think our characters wouldn't or couldn't have such knowlegde?
• would the hero class prevent me from taking further levels as a monk?
• i am the kind of person who can't help but to reflect and analyze, so I included some extraploations about CHAOS in my projected background. please tell me if I should abstain from such speculation in the future.

 

[Caliber]

Good questions, all of them. Let's see what answers I can provide, as well as some comments on your character ...

If I hadn't stated it directly somewhere that’s my fault. Definitely a Fantasy world, with Wizards, Clerics, Monks, and all that other stuff. All DnD base classes are s'ok (as well as the new ones in the Miniatures Handbook and Complete Warrior)

I've only avoided posting stuff up about the world in general because I was unsure if anyone wanted to read it! I have lots of info ... I didn't want to chase anyone away with information overload though. I'll put some up tonight or tomorrow, promise.


I'm pretty lenient as far as multi-classing goes. As long as you qualify for the class still, you can multiclass in and out of it. 'Cause I'm just a nice guy.

As of the start of the game the idea of the Chaos without is purely mythological to most people. The creation mythos of the Lesser DOES make references to it of course, but it otherwise does not really play a large factor in any of the Church's beliefs. The Brotherhood of the Inner Flame feels a little differently of course, but that’s another matter ...

Now as to your character, first some mechanical concerns. HP is max for the first HD and then average + 1 after that (3 for d4s, 4 for d6s, 5 for d8s, 6 for d10s, 7 for d12s.)

My copy of 4CtF doesn't have a Super Wise ability (I guess its one of the new Powers added in the Revision)

Instead, I'd suggest you try using Heightened Mental Ability (Wisdom.) Your first rank gives you a +2 Wisdom, and every purchase of Increased Effect gives you another +2.

(In general, the differences between the Super Whatever vs. the Heightened Ability Powers seem to be the Super Whatever abilities leave out some bonuses. Super Strength, for example does NOT give a bonus to melee attack rolls)

Otherwise, assuming everything adds up correctly, it looks pretty good mechanically.

Now on to your background. All of your characters will have JUST gained their powers at the start of the game, so don't bother coming up with an origin story. I already have one figured out .Further, the nature of the Chaos without is largely unknown. It certainly hasn't launched any attacks yet (or showed any signs of doing so … yet )

That aside, if you still want your character to be a refuge from a destroyed monastery, go ahead. I'd suggest two things to make it fit into the game though. First, change the attacker (obviously). Good choices are the Brotherhood or wandering monsters.

My second suggestion would be considering ending your backstory with Julien being captured by the Brotherhood instead of escaping. For reasons yet to be revealed, the Brotherhood is always on the look out for a few good bodies.

 

[sophist]

If I hadn't stated it directly somewhere that’s my fault. Definitely a Fantasy world, with Wizards, Clerics, Monks, and all that other stuff. All DnD base classes are s'ok (as well as the new ones in the Miniatures Handbook and Complete Warrior)

Just wanted to be sure.

I've only avoided posting stuff up about the world in general because I was unsure if anyone wanted to read it! I have lots of info ... I didn't want to chase anyone away with information overload though. I'll put some up tonight or tomorrow, promise.

I am into world building, so don't fear it'll be all too much for me. But I don't know how much you can post here ... if you think its too much you can mail me at sterndrache@gmx.net.

I'm pretty lenient as far as multi-classing goes. As long as you qualify for the class still, you can multiclass in and out of it. 'Cause I'm just a nice guy.

Cool. Though I think I'll be going for three Monk Levels at first, and hope i get 4c2f, before we get to fourth.

Instead, I'd suggest you try using Heightened Mental Ability (Wisdom.) Your first rank gives you a +2 Wisdom, and every purchase of Increased Effect gives you another +2.

Will apply it to that effect.

Now on to your background. All of your characters will have JUST gained their powers at the start of the game, so don't bother coming up with an origin story. I already have one figured out .Further, the nature of the Chaos without is largely unknown. It certainly hasn't launched any attacks yet (or showed any signs of doing so … yet )
That aside, if you still want your character to be a refuge from a destroyed monastery, go ahead. I'd suggest two things to make it fit into the game though. First, change the attacker (obviously). Good choices are the Brotherhood or wandering monsters.
My second suggestion would be considering ending your backstory with Julien being captured by the Brotherhood instead of escaping. For reasons yet to be revealed, the Brotherhood is always on the look out for a few good bodies.

I will change everything to fit. It was just my basic idea, giving the character a history and a reason for changing from monk later and having these powers. If you take care of it, all the better.
I will try to incorporate both suggestions, so that the brotherhood stromed the cloister and captured Julien there. So far however I was not under the impression that they were "Evil" in a sense that they would do such thing.
But anyway, no more speculation until I have a better grasp of things.

Thx for the prompt info.

 

[Guest 11456]

. .

 

[Caliber]

Interesting that you picked those dates Tailspinner, because Tabbycatt just told me she'll have to take the same days off.

I have no problem with you two missing out. As is, I only have characters from a third of my players anyway, so for all I know we won't even be started by the time you leave. Anyway, I'm not going to ask you to drop out unless you think it would be for the best.

Storminator, nice character. I liked the "wannabe-Paladin" angle and the powers looked pretty interesting.

And now, at sophist's request, an incredibly length write up of stuff in my world. Some is repeated from earlier posts and/or literary interludes, but most if fresh.

Free Cities of Ghin - Spread out among the western plains, the Free Cities are a loosely bound coalition, mostly together for the express purpose of opposing Bostoc. The cities themselves are as varied as can be, from the mageocracy of Melrond to the peacful aristocracy of Galens to the powerful democracy of Toren. A sizeable number of Humans and the majority of Halflings and Gnomes come from the Free Cities, although most of the Gnomes actually hail from tiny hamlets and villages that are interspersed between the Free Cities.

Empire of Bostoc - The Empire started out simply the City of Bostoc. It remained as such until the first Emperor of Bostoc, Hilren Turrin came to power. He had a dream of unifying the Cities, under his rule of course, and set about making that dream a reality. By utilizing his incredibly skilled military mind and the other Cities in-fighting, he managed to obtain nearly half of all the Cities of his day. It wasn't until the remaining Cities allied under the City of Ghin that Hilren settled for the lands he had already claimed, which covered nearly all of the western lands. In the years since the Empire and the Free Cities have become trading partners, although their relationship remains teneous at best. Originally, like in the remaining Free Cities, many Humans, Halflings, and Gnomes lived here. In the years since the forming of the Empire, however, most, if not all, of the Halflings and Gnomes have found the new government not to their liking and have left for the Free Cities. Now, only Humans are found in any majority.

Plains of Rhiali - Located to the north of the large plains that serve both the Free Cities and the Empire the Plains of Rhiali are so named because of the legendary Treaty of Rhiali. Signed in ages long past, before any of the Free Cities had formed and LONG before the Empire was even thought of, the Treaty was originally between the then nomadic Humans and the Elves. After a long and bloody battle between both tribes, the Treaty divided the land along an invisible line, giving the northern half to the Elves and the southern half to the Humans. While the Humans have since settled into their Cities, the Elves continue to respect their nomadic paths. Only two cities exhist on the Plains of Rhiali, gathering places and holy grounds that the different Elven Clans meet annually. Despite what some might say, the Elves of Rhiali (often called the Plainsmen of Rhiali) are quite accepting of others. Many races live among the Plainsmen, either traveling with the Elven Clans or living in small hamlets and towns dotted throughout the Plains.

Kalikstreig Mountains - Located to the far north, past the Plains of Rhiali, lie the Kalikstreig Mountains. Home to the reclusive Dwarves, the Mountains also serve as an important barrier to the maruding tribes of Orcs which live on the other side. Occasionally the Orcs will attempt to cross the Mountains, for one reason or another, but the Dwarves have molded the Mountains to their wims over the years and it is a rare Orc indeed that makes it through. The Dwarves themselves routinely send out diplomats and merchants to many of the Free Cities as well as the Empire, and Dwarves are a common sight in all lands. They rarely, however, allow outsiders into their Mountain Home, much less discuss it with outsiders. As such, rumors abound of gold-lined corridors where only the sweetest meat is served and the finest ale drank. The Dwarves do not seem to be in any hurry to squash these rumors.

The Lesser - The pantheon of deities worshipped by the masses. In general, most simply pay homage to the entire pantheon in general. Only the most powerful individual dieties have their own Temples and Cathedrals, with the less powerful occasionly meriting a Shring in their name. Even among Temples devoted to an indivdual patron, most of the devotees go there simply to worship the Lesser as a whole. The Lesser contain literally hundreds of deities and only serious religious scholors can actually name all of them. While different dieties disagree in certain respects, they all share some similarities. One of them is the creation myth, which all of the Lesser hold to be true. Another is the existance of the Greater.

The Greater - A being or group of beings responsible for stabilizing the area of Chaos in which everything exists. Mortal man's information of the Greater is shaky at best, with neither numbers or names given. The Lesser themselves do not claim any knowledge above and beyond that which they distribute as part of their common creation myth.

The Brotherhood of the Inner Flame - The first "religion" to have found widely held belief in nearly a hundred years, the Brotherhood continues to swell, growing by leaps and bounds. They preach that the Greater have deserted us, and that the Lesser are not strong enough to take up the Greater's task. The only chance is for mortal man to overthrow the Lesser and take their place, releasing our inner power in order to replace the Greater's place.

Current Events - The Empire and the Free Cities have begun to gear up for war, the Empire drafting many citizens into the its Royal Legions while the Free Cities have begun recruiting southern Mercenaries, many of them from the land of Calix. The Plainsmen war among themselves, two of the largest Clans, the Fli' Otra and the Vlatiith (the Moon Shadows and the Bright Eyes, in the Common tongue), having declared blood fued among themselves. The Dwarves of the Kalikstreig have seemingly retreated into their Mountain Home, with few merchants and no diplomats ermerging for several years. Even worse, it appears the Mountains are no longer the barrier they once were, with several of the Goblinoid races crossing over to terrorize the land. The seas froth and storms have become common. Some farmers fear if there will be any crop at all come harvest time.

Many of the Churches of the Lesser have turned their backs to the people and closed their doors to the masses. Some remain open, although they are unwilling to comment on the actions of their fellow Temples. The Brotherhood is hunted down wherever they are found, despite the current apathy many Temples have shown to the world in general. Despite this, the Brotherhood attracts many followers. They operate mostly underground, although occasionally a braver (or some would say crazier) member will voice his opinions loudly in public. Those members are often get hung quickly.

If you read all of that wow! You're pretty dedicated. Thanks!

 

[Caliber]

By the way, you shorted yourself one HP Storminator. With your +2 Con bonus you should have 12 + 8 + 5 = 25 != 24. Also you have your number of skill points listed as 20. You actually only have 15, which is the number you spent. I figure its just a type.

sophist, you're currently at -1 HrP. Heightened Mental Ability costs 3 points per +2 to the ability. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[Storminator]

By the way, you shorted yourself one HP Storminator. With your +2 Con bonus you should have 12 + 8 + 5 = 25 != 24. Also you have your number of skill points listed as 20. You actually only have 15, which is the number you spent. I figure its just a type.

sophist, you're currently at -1 HrP. Heightened Mental Ability costs 3 points per +2 to the ability. Sorry for the bad news.

I originally did hp with 5.5 and 2.5 for my rolled levels, which shorted me a point. I think the skills are right tho: 2 (fighter) +1 (INT) +1 (human) *4 =16 at first level, and 4 more at 2nd. Right?

The number in parens after the rank is the number of skill points spent, as a couple of those are cross class skills.

Fixed the hp.

PS