D&D 4E [Pre-4E] "The Shadow of Set" [Roster Set]

[Insight]

THE SHADOW OF SET
This is the recruitment thread for a pre-4E game (obviously starting with 3.5 rules). "Pre-4E" means that we'll be using 3.5 for now, and switching to 4E when those materials are available.

We'll be playing "The Shadow of Set" adventure from the Coils of Set campaign from Necromancer Games. If the game goes well, we will continue the campaign to the subsequent Coils of Set adventures, and perhaps even beyond.

"The Shadow of Set" is an adventure for 1st through 5th level, so we'll be starting at 1st level. I am recruiting four or five players who can post at least three times a week, and who can keep up with the story. Players will be chosen based on the quality of their character concepts, ability to post on a regular basis, and other factors.

What I'm looking for right now are posts declaring interest in playing, and the following:

• Character Concept (1-2 sentences)
• Name
• Race
• Starting Class
• Major Skills and Feats
• Expected Advancement

***CHARACTER ROSTER POSTED BELOW***

See below for the Character Creation Rules.

 

[Insight]

CHARACTER CREATION RULES
Since we don't know much about the rules changes expected in 4E (although check out this thread for what we DO know), in an effort to minimize expected changes later, the characters are going to be built using mostly the core rules. In addition, I'm going to throw in some of my favorite rules options from Unearthed Arcana (UA) and Player's Handbook II (PHB2).

Races: PHB only.
Classes: PHB + Favored Soul (Complete Divine), Racial Paragon Classes (UA), and Swashbuckler (Complete Warrior).
Alignment: All characters will be good-aligned or neutral. As Chaotic Neutral seems to be the default choice of those who don't really want to roleplay, I am going to be suspicious of CN characters without justification.
Class Options:

• Barbarians: Berserker Strength (PHB2), the "other class options" in UA, Whirling Frenzy (UA), and Wolf Totem Variant (UA) - this is the DEFAULT Barbarian, and is called Jackal Totem in this game.
• Bard: Bardic Knack (PHB2) and Bardic Sage (UA).
• Cleric: Cloistered Cleric (UA) - this are the DEFAULT class settings, Level Check for Turning Undead (UA) - DEFAULT, and Spontaneous Domain Casting (PHB2) - this is the DEFAULT ability (Clerics cannot spontaneously cast heals without the appropriate feat).
• Druid: Druidic Avenger (UA), the "other class options" in UA, and Shapeshift (PHB2) - this is the DEFAULT ability (Druids do NOT have Wild Shape in this game).
• Fighter: Counterattack (PHB2), Elusive Attack (PHB2), the "other class options" in UA, Overpowering Attack (PHB2).
• Monk: Decisive Strike (PHB2) and Fighting Styles (UA).
• Paladin: Charging Smite (PHB2), the "other class options" in UA, and Paladin of Freedom (UA).
• Ranger: Distracting Attack (PHB2), Favored Environment (UA), and Urban Ranger (UA).
• Rogue: Disruptive Attack (PHB2), the "other class options" in UA, and Wilderness Rogue (UA).
• Sorcerer: Battle Sorcerer (UA) - this are the DEFAULT class settings, and Metamagic Specialist (PHB2).
• Swashbuckler: Shield of Blades (PHB2).
• Wizard: The "other class options" in UA.

Other Rules Options: Class-Based Defense (UA) and Weapon Group Proficiencies (UA) - DEFAULT.
Feats: PHB only at start. Other feats will become available at a later time.
Prestige Classes: DMG only at start. A few (6-12) other prestige classes will become available at a later time.

Anything listed as DEFAULT means that option is standard in this game. Certain options can be regained through the use of feats or magic items.

The UA options can be found here if you don't own the book. Unfortunately, there are no online versions of the PHB2 options or the Favored Soul or Swashbuckler classes. Does this mean you can't play a Druid if you don't own PHB2? Not necessarily. I may be willing to post a summary of the PHB2 options if necessary.

 

[Insight]

ABOUT THE ADVENTURE & SETTING
"The Shadow of Set" is part of the Coils of Set campaign from Necromancer Games. This post will give the players information they may need to come up with a character concept and start playing.

NOTE: This game will take place in a neutral setting, despite any place name references in the text. Everything you need to know about the setting will be listed below.

THE CITY OF MAJOOR*
The game starts in the city of Majoor. This city, a fairly respectable trading hub, serves as a port to the Cerulean Sea to the south. Best characterized by its diversity, Majoor represents the culmination of hard work among different cultures and races. From its tent-filled bazaar to the exotic ziggurat Temple of the Eternal Sun to its splendid stone towers and spires, Majoor stands apart from most other towns. Founded by merchants and sailors, this town is a hodge-podge of different cultures and values. However, competition is valued more than anything else.

Most of the citizens of Majoor are descended from merchants and craftsmen, and the old blood still flows through the veins of many. Always looking to craft something better or buy something cheaper, Majoor is a brutal place for the meek.

The spirit of Majoor is no better represented by any of its citizenry than Ali Ashar, the Lord Mayor. He purchased the title from the previous Lord Mayor, who had ruled for generations. Though no word of discontent reaches his palatial estate, Ali Ahsar keeps a close watch on any potential usurpers, all in the interest of "protecting his investment".

Majoor (large town): Conventional Autocracy; AL N; 3,000 gp limit; Assets 675,000gp; Population 4,500 (mixed): Human 79%, Halfling 9%, Elf 5%, Dwarf 3%, Gnome 2%, Half-Elf 1%, Half-Orc 1%. Districts: Average Residential, the Bazaar, the Caravaners' District, Civic, Fine Shops, Halfling Neighborhood, Inn/Tavern District, Lord's Estate, Temple District, and Warehouse District.
Authority Figure: Ali Ashar (Lord Mayor of Majoor). Important NPCs: Lude (Captain of the Guard), Karranis (Priest of the Eternal Sun), Ka-Hatem (High Priest of the Eternal Sun). Guilds: There is an adventurer's guild, a caravaner's guild, a merchant guild, and a sailor's guild. There are also rumors of a thieves' guild.

* Mostly taken from the Coils of Set campaign, from Necromancer Games.

THE WORLD
Majoor sits on the edge of the Cerulean Sea, a great blue-green body of water that serves as the southern border of the known world. Ships sailing to or from Majoor travel the Cerulean Sea, usually to another major port, such as Tamjit to the east or Alhandar to the west.

The Blasted Desert rises ominously above Majoor, blanketing the terrain for nearly 500 miles north and west of the trade port. Caravans to Majoor typically cross the desert from the tradepost city of Hale.

Because of Majoor's location, searing heat is the most common weather condition. Eleven months of the year, Majoor and the surrounding areas reach above 100 degrees fahrenheit, sometimes above 120 degrees during the summer. But Majoor, being adjacent to the sea, is a bit cooler than the Blasted Desert (typically between 110 and 130 degrees).

THE ROLE OF THE CHARACTERS
The PCs have been in Majoor for some time, and can either be natives or could have traveled to Majoor from elsewhere. Characters in Majoor could be merchants, craftsmen, guards, sell-swords, rogues of various stripes, sailors, or stranded travelers, and can be in Majoor for a number of plausible reasons.

NATIONAL DEITIES
You can find a list of the main deities here, and also briefly below.

Thyr, God of Law and Justice
Alignment: Lawful Good
Domains: Law, Good, Healing, Knowledge, Protection
Typical Worshipers: Humans, Royalty
Favored Weapons: Light or Heavy Mace

Muir, Goddess of Virtue and Paladinhood
Alignment: Lawful Good
Domains: Law, Good, Protection, War
Typical Worshipers: Humans, Paladins
Favored Weapons: Longswords or Bastardswords

Freya, Goddess of Love and Fertility
Alignment: Neutral Good
Domains: Good, Healing, War, Animal
Typical Worshippers: Human females
Favored Weapons: Longsword, longbow

Arden, God of the Sun
Alignment: Neutral Good
Domains: Air, Good, Sun, War
Typical Worshipers: Of old he was worshiped by humans, though Arden is not currently worshiped on this plane.
Favored Weapons: Sun staff, short sword

Orcus, Demon-Lord of the Undead
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Domains: Chaos, Evil, Death, Destruction
Typical Worshipers: Monsters, Undead and Evil Humanoids
Favored Weapons: Ornamental Heavy Mace (spiked or skull-tipped).

Tsathogga, Demon Frog God
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Domains: Chaos, Evil, Water, Destruction
Typical Worshipers: Tsathar, Sentient Frogs, Evil Slaad, Evil Water Monsters
Favored Weapons: Any that slash, cut and are wickedly curved, as well as ropes or nets.

Hecate, Goddess of Evil Magic
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Domains: Law, Evil, Magic, Knowledge
Typical Worshipers: Wizards, Women
Favored Weapons: None.

Set, God of Evil and the Night
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Domains: Law, Evil, Knowledge, Death
Typical Worshipers: Evil power-seeking humanoids, evil monks, assassins
Favored Weapons: Cobra staff, Spear of Darkness, poisoned weapons

Hel, Goddess of Death, Lady of Pestilence
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Domains: Evil, Death, Plant, Animal
Typical Worshipers: Diseased and disease-causing creatures, evil humanoids, evil druids, women, bards.
Favored Weapons: Poisoned Dagger or Sword.

LOCAL DEITIES
In addition to the major national deities listed above, natives of the Blasted Desert (including the ancestors of the many of the nomads who helped build Majoor) worship another set of "local" deities, also known as the Khemitian Gods, found here. These are also available as deities for characters native to Majoor or the Blasted Desert.

RACIAL DEITIES
For non-human characters, they may worship deities listed in the PHB for their race, or in Races of Destiny, Races of Stone, or Races of the Wild.

 

[Insight]

CHARACTER ROSTER

Droban Ironthane, Dwarven Fighter - YeOldeAlbatross
Isphet the Moneylender, Human Rogue - Sound of Azure
Asad the Silent, Human Monk - Redclaw
Dirk Redhand, Desert Half-Orc Ranger - Necro_Kinder
G'Sharn Siroc, Halfling Druid - Rolzup
Avardis, Human Battle Sorcerer - Ilium

 

[Insight]

Bump?

 

[Sound of Azure]

Isphet the Moneylender

A self-made fellow, Isphet had been a succesful merchant in Majoor for several years. What he didn't count on was his brother's gambling problems, landing his whole family in debt. So now, he's in need of "easy" revenue. As all good merchants know, with great risks come great rewards!

Isphet's canny and perceptive. He can be a bit hard-hearted at times, but ultimately he's a good guy, and can be relied on to look after his friends.

Isphet worships Chons the Wanderer above all others, but has community ties to (and is active in) Thyr's church.

Isphet of Azrafel,
Neutral Good Male Human Rogue 1
Primary skills: Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Gather Information, Listen, Open Locks, Perform (Oratory), Search, Sense Motive, Spot.
Feats*: Combat Expertise, Able Learner
Traits: High Intelligence and Charisma, moderate Dexterity and Wisdom.
Advancement: Isphet will multiclass into bardic sage and advance evenly in the two classes. He may eventually take Arcane Trickster levels (not 100% certain on that).

*I'd love to have Able Learner from Races of Destiny, but since it's PHB only... (Thanks!)

 

[Insight]

*I'd love to have Able Learner from Races of Destiny, but since it's PHB only...

Since that's a 1st level only, and I own the book, I'm OK with taking that feat. Go ahead.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Since that's a 1st level only, and I own the book, I'm OK with taking that feat. Go ahead.

Cheers, I'll change my post.

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

Hi Insight,

I'd like to get in on this! I've been watching with interest all of the furor following the big 4e announcement, and I think it's cool to see you taking the 'early adopter' stance. My concept is a pretty straightforward archetype, which should make him easy to convert to the new system...

Droban Ironthane
NG Male Dwarf Fighter 1
Weapons: Dwarven Waraxe, Throwing Axes
Armor: Chain Shirt, Light Steel Shield
Feats: Weapon Focus, Power Attack
Skills: Intimidate, Climb
Abilities: High STR and CON, Moderate DEX and CHA
Expected Advancement: Likely straight fighter, though perhaps a splash of barbarian as well.

Droban is a young dwarf who, afflicted with a terrible wanderlust, left his home in the mountains and joined up with a merchant caravan as a hired guard. Droban has since travelled far from home, and now finds himself in the exotic city of Majoor, where he feels very out of place. The caravan is making ready to depart in a few days, but Droban has become bored with that life, and hopes to find an opportunity with a new employer.

Droban has coarse black hair and bright green eyes, very unusual for a dwarf. He keeps his long hair and beard braided tightly, to help keep cool in the heat of Majoor. A brave dwarf with a heart of gold, he enjoys strong drink and the laughter of good friends, though his hand never strays too far from the handle of his axe.

(Sound of Azure, the merchant connection would make it very easy for Droban and Isphet to meet one another. Isphet could even become Droban's new employer, if you'd be interested in that.)

Insight, let me know if you think Droban would have a place in your game, or if you'd like to know anything else.

 

[Insight]

Sounds good so far, you two. I'm kinda surprised this game hasn't gotten more interest, but it could be due to a lot of people being at Gen-Con and the fact that EN World tends to get less traffic on the weekends (the PbP boards anyway). Plus, a lot of people are obsessing over the 4E stuff (I read it too, but c'mon, we've got four months before the real previews even come out).