The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic=Realization Dawns]
Darkness.

That's where it starts. Darkness, and an unimaginable pain in your head. Focus is hard - you remember much, but the past few days are a disconnected blur.

As soon as you move, light springs into being, torches on the wall illuminating of their own accord, bringing a few details into view. First is the realization that you are naked, no even possessing your smallclothes - though a loose fitting plain robe hanging on the wall provides a form of cover if you should choose to use it. The second is the door - thick, barred, and set deep into the stone wall.

Once you have had sufficient time to clothe yourself, footsteps - heavy and slow, betraying a limp - approach your cell, and a man appears. Human, old and worn by life. Stubble adorns a rather impressive chin, the stubble interrupted only by a scar running from jaw to scalp, tracing alongside a nose broken far too often.

"Welcome to the pit, wyrmling," he growls.[/ic]

[note]This is not a PVP game. The players will be on teams pitted against monsters and humanoid NPCs, not each other.[/note]The premise of this game is simple: It's a Pathfinder game. You are a criminal - either framed or legitimate - and instead of serving a typical sentence, you were sentenced to fight in the Pit. The stakes are simple: fight and eventually gain freedom, or die.

Of course, it's entirely likely that things aren't as simple as they seem...

Characters can use any Pathfinder class, as well as any d20, Iron Heroes, or Arcana Evolved class (I'll do the conversion for any of them) and characters start at level 5 - but do not have any gear - typical of gladiator rings, gear is provided to you on a per-fight basis. Races are, again, any Pathfinder or d20 race with an LA of 0 - if you wish to play a non-pathfinder race, or a race with an LA, I'll be happy to work on creating a 0 LA version of that race with you.

As far as schedule goes, this would be extremely flexible - every session's plot would revolve around the fight, and the fighters that participate would pretty much be whoever can make it to that session.

So, who's in?

Wouldn't starting with no equipment severely hamper fighters, rogues (who are already bad enough as is), and other "mundane" classes while keeping any full spellcaster class (who already don't require all that much equipment) at the proverbial top of the food chain in such an event?

Unless you have something to mitigate this, of course, though I'm equally interested in hearing what sort of solution that would be. Anyways, sounds pretty cool. Color me tentatively interested, though I know very little of Arcana Evolved classes. I would think the Iron Heroes classes, being made to work mostly independent of equipment and crazy magic, would be the best fit for a type of game, but feel free to surprise me  :wink:.

How often are you planning on playing, and do you need a regular commitment?

The big balancing factor is that rogues, fighters, etc will ALL be provided with weapons and armor for each fight. You don't get to bring your own gear (though if you take feats that favor particular weapons, I'll make sure to provide the appropriate weapons), you're outfitted with gear they provide - they don't want you walking around armed, you're prisoners after all. :P

That's the big balancing factor. I'm open to suggestions for what gear you'd like, but I'm just removing the need to bring your own gear. :P

And Steerpike, it's whenever 3 gladiators are available and I can run, and no regular commitment needed at all.

OH, and one other thing I realized, if your class has a Bound Item feature, your item will be kept in storage and you will get it every fight.

Another minor thing - if you want to play any class that has a Pathfinder equivalent, you have to play the Pathfinder version, for balance reasons. :P

I really like the idea of this. It could be fun to have a steady drop-in, drop-out, casual hack n' slash going on with a lot of people. Avoiding the PVP element was a nice touch; that'd surely end in a lot of frustration.

I will admit that as much as D&D (and subsequently PF) is combat-oriented, there are some classes that are influenced by their ability to work outside of combat, like rogues, bards, and monks, but I'm not sure it matters enough to really "unbalance" them in terms of gameplay. On the other hand, maybe there could be fights that don't just involve killing a monster/NPC(s) but also include an element of skill and acrobatics to, say, disarm nearby traps, or leap around platforms to reach a gem that needs to be sundered in order for some monster's fast healing to wear off, or something. Just some food for thought!

Quote from: Weave
I really like the idea of this. It could be fun to have a steady drop-in, drop-out, casual hack n' slash going on with a lot of people. Avoiding the PVP element was a nice touch; that'd surely end in a lot of frustration.

I had originally planned on avoiding PvP, but when I was discussing this with someone, it was misunderstood that I meant PvP, and my initial thought that PvP should be avoided was strongly reinforced.

QuoteI will admit that as much as D&D (and subsequently PF) is combat-oriented, there are some classes that are influenced by their ability to work outside of combat, like rogues, bards, and monks, but I'm not sure it matters enough to really "unbalance" them in terms of gameplay. On the other hand, maybe there could be fights that don't just involve killing a monster/NPC(s) but also include an element of skill and acrobatics to, say, disarm nearby traps, or leap around platforms to reach a gem that needs to be sundered in order for some monster's fast healing to wear off, or something. Just some food for thought!

Bingo. There's going to be tons of fights that aren't just "slash and hack" your way through things - skills challenges are going to be wrapped into the combats to make sure everyone, regardless of class, gets to shine.

Interesting idea.

Given the nature of the thing, would you be open to allowing monster races as PCs, too? I figure it would work a lot better for something like this than trying to fit it into a real campaign, and wouldn't it be fun to play a one-shot fight as a dire wombat or something? :D

Quote from: sparkletwist
Interesting idea.

Given the nature of the thing, would you be open to allowing monster races as PCs, too? I figure it would work a lot better for something like this than trying to fit it into a real campaign, and wouldn't it be fun to play a one-shot fight as dire wombat or something? :D

I'll have to consider that one - right now I'm leaning towards no for balance ease, and I want to make sure there's an element of RP possible, and a dire wombat wouldn't be great for that. :P But I will consider it further - so the answer is "Plan on no."

I'm not sure how much luck you're going to have trying to "balance" anything, considering the wide disparity of power that a "Level 5 character" can be in d20 anyway, particularly if you're going to allow a mix of 3.x, Pathfinder, Iron Heroes, etc. In fact, I didn't realize you were even going to try-- gladiatorial combat was always more about the spectacle than a balanced fight, so I thought you were just kind of going with it. :D

Hehehe, you've got a point there. The big considerations I have are as follow:

A) I plan on converting any class from non-pathfinder systems into pathfinder that people want to use - typically a fairly simple conversion - to make it a bit easier on myself to balance the fights so there's spectacle AND it's neither a cake-walk nor unwinnable. By balance I mean, more than anything else, balanced encounters

B) Even with balance issues, level 5 characters have some things in common: hit points, attack progressions, save progressions, etc.

C) Again, the RP: their is going to be a metaplot and it does revolve around convicts trying to survive in this environment, so a dire animal is kind of hard to work in - what kind of crime could one of those commit? :P

That being said, I'm more than willing to work with you (or anyone else) on using a monster, but it is not my first preference - at the very least, the creature would have to be intelligent and capable of committing a crime or being framed for one. However, if that's what someone really wants to play, I can work with that.

I like the idea. How would converting IH classes to PF work? would they lose their defence progression, for example? What about the whole feat mastery system?

They'd keep the feat mastery system, loose their defense progression, and have save progression changed to d20 standard. This is based off the rules presented in the Iron Heroes guide - however, the conversion rules state that you should alter the cost of any resource-based abilities (token pool type abilities), but considering the power of Pathfinder classes I will not be implementing this change - this should keep them on par with Pathfinder classes to a degree. In addition, the Pathfinder guide recommends some other ways to bring non-PF classes to par with the PF classes, and I'd implement those to make sure the IH classes don't fall behind.

One thing I'm pondering now is making it Pathfinder only, just to make balance easier. Would this alienate players, or are enough people interested in Pathfinder classes/races where this would be totally cool with everyone? (This game is going to work best with the maximum number of potential players, to give me the most options for fights/storylines.)

Oh, also, it's a 25 point buy for ability scores, and don't worry about GP/Equipment - just mention what kind of things you'd LIKE to have, and we'll make it work for a gladiator fight.

I'd be cool with PF-only. It certainly makes things simpler, and there seem to be plenty of options.

I think it is going to be Pathfinder only for simplicity and balance.

Also, it's worth looking at these rules, since it's gladiator oriented and I like them. performance combat rules (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/performance-combat)

Also, everyone can pick up one of these (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/performance-feats) without needing to pick up Dazzling display first.

How many traits do we get, if any? I'm thinking of rolling up a barbarian later today.

2 traits, only basic or race ones.

KRAZNAR SON OF KRAZGELD

Level 5 Dwarf Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager archetype)

STR 16 +3
DEX 14 +2
CON 19 +4
INT 10 +0
WIS 12 +1
CHA 8 -1

Max HP: 55
Current HP: 55

BAB +5 (+6 vs orcs/goblinoids)
AC 12 (16 vs giants)
DR 2/-

CMB +8
CMD 20 (24 vs bull rush/trip)

FORT +8
REF +1
WILL +2

Speed: 30ft. (20ft. in heavy armour)
Carrying capacity: 76/77-153/154-230

Skills:
Acrobatics 7 (+2 DEX)
Appraise 0 (+2 valuing precious metals/gemstones)
Climb 7 (+3 STR)
Perception 7 (+2 examining stonework)
Survival 7
Swim 7 (+3 STR)

Traits:
Ruthless: +1 on attack rolls to confirm critical hits
Zest for Battle: When receiving a morale bonus to attacks, also gain +1 damage

Class features:

Rage: +4 STR and CON, +2 WILL, -2 AC, +10 HP for up to 8 rounds, then become Fatigued for 2 rounds per round spent Raging
Trap Sense: +1 to Reflex saves and AC vs traps
Extreme Endurance: Gain effects of Endure Elements vs cold weather
Roused Anger: May Rage when Fatigued, immune to Fatigue while Raging, become Exhausted after this Rage for 10 minutes per round spent Raging

Feats:
Cleave: -2 AC for additional attack against adjacent opponent on a successful hit
Great Cleave: May make multiple additional Cleave attacks
Power Attack: Trade -2 attack for +4 damage

[ic=A life of bloodletting...]
A thousand years ago the Four Shields clan resembled any other dwarves. They mined the depths beneath their mountains, they praised their ancestors, they worked their forges. Perhaps their isolation made them a little bleaker than others of their kind, but for all that their hearth-fire of order in the heart of so many leagues of wilderness burned bright against the darkness.
The darkness, however, had other ideas.
In those days there came to the badlands that surrounded the Four Shields a migrating tribe of orcs called the Eaters-of-Fire. These orcs were reavers from the far south, sword-wielding wolves whose king, Sutekh Iron-Heart, was said to be as strong as an ogre, as tough as a troll and as terrible as a midnight gale.
Sutekh wasted no time in confronting the many goblinoid tribes of the region and binding them to his banner through force and threats. The bugbear king Groxnoller the Proud was the last to resist him, and Sutekh beat him to death with his bare fists before taking his eight daughters as wives to bind Groxnoller's tribe to his cause.
So it came to pass that the Four Shields found their many enemies suddenly united against them with a single purpose, spearheaded by the fearsome Eaters-of-Fire.
From then on the dwarves knew no respite, no forgiveness - there was only war. Proud longbeards and shield-maidens stood resolute time and again against Sutekh Iron-Heart's massed horde, but no matter how red the ruin they made of their foes, more of the monstrous humanoids came against them, and in battle after battle, over hundreds of years, their territories shrank and their wealth faded. Sutekh's sons, and grandsons, and great-grandsons continued the grim war as more dwarven holds were lost, more great warriors fell.
The Four Shields realised that they fought now for their very survival, and they abandoned their mines, worked their forges only to repair sundered arms, and called on their ancestors on the battlefield rather than in their deep shrines. In time, necessity made the dwarves as savage and axebitten as the Eaters-of-Fire they fought.
It was into this bloody world of grinding, barbaric warfare that Kraznar was born, and there was no time for him to learn the ancient dwarven arts, to try his hand at forging armour or working wondrous jewellery. Instead his first memory was of swinging an axe. His father, Krazgeld Black-Eyes, was a mighty warrior and a captain of the Four Shields and taught him from the first to kill and to endure.
Songs were no longer sung by Kraznar's time, unless they were funereal dirges for the battle-slain. Mead was no longer brewed, the dwarf-maids no longer laughed. The only joy the young warrior knew was that of battle, the beautiful red killing-joy that came when he dirtied his blade with the gore of his enemies. Those times, the times when he worked death, were when he could finally laugh, finally see to the heart of things, the terrible joke that was life.
But no matter how hard Kraznar and his kin fought, their days were numbered. By the time he reached his full maturity at 50 a thousand years of bloodshed had passed, and only one final, mighty keep remained in dwarven hands. Sutekh XVI was raising a new horde for the killing-blow.
The final stand of the Four Shields was as bloody a battle as any in history. Kraznar himself slew a score of foes upon the barricades and saw his father cut down defending a breach single-handed against a company of hobgoblins.
Kraznar and the other survivors were forced to fall back to the deeps beneath their citadel, until they were finally surrounded in the musty shrines they had so long neglected. The goblinoids came at them, howling through the hallowed tunnels, and died as the dwarves fought back with fanatic desperation.
Eventually they fell back and Kraznar saw a new enemy approach; orcs, the very Eaters-of-Fire themselves, sent in for the kill.
The remainder of the Four Shields, exhausted, did their best, but nonetheless fell one by one to the wicked orcish swords. Finally, only Kraznar remained, surrounded on all sides, wounded, defiant. He sent a dozen Eaters-of-Fire to their graves then, until they feared to approach him, but then Sutekh XVI himself came, tall, broad-shouldered, cast in the mould of his conquering ancestor.
Kraznar cannot remember what happened next, only the orc-king's eyes, eyes that mocked and laughed as he was overcome and denied even the honour of a heroic death. Instead he was taken captive, a slave of his mortal enemies, forced to entertain them with his feats of arms in pit-fights against the beasts of the wilderlands until finally his value was measured higher in gold than in entertainment and he was sold to wicked men who took him south, to new arenas, and new battles.[/ic]

PS. Are we using alignment?

I'm interested, but I have no idea what to do for a character. I'm a bit clueless when it comes to Pathfinder.

Weren't you the one who linked to the pathfinder character creator webpage? :D

Also: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/

Quote from: Light Dragon
Weren't you the one who linked to the pathfinder character creator webpage? :D

Also: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/

Yes. I stumbled across that when I was trying to find an easier way to juggle all of the things involved in Pathfinder character creation. :P
Thanks for the link to the SRD, but I already found that one too. :)

Kranzar sounds and looks awesome, can't wait to put him in the pits.

Other than Sparkle, is there still any other interest in this game? Hard to do a game like this with only two players. :P

Would it be possible to play a Gnome Alchemist who is an arsonist? Cuz I would totally be in on this if I could do that. I rarely get to flex my inner "crazy" when playing at normal table top games and this kind of game presents an interesting opportunity to do something more in line with a "Chaotic Asshole" character. lol

That would totally work. Just make sure your character is someone who it is possible to relate to - Chaotic Asshole is fine, but "Asshole to My Party" is gonna not go so well.

I will get a character up at some point very soon.  Considering a goblin fighter/rogue.

Quote from: Steerpike
I will get a character up at some point very soon.  Considering a goblin fighter/rogue.

Oh my. Kraz is gonna love your guy.

Hahaha, this is shaping up to be an interesting team!

I'm going to be playing a Knife Master, which has the "Hidden Blade" ability to help conceal a light weapon.  Is it possible that in addition to the usual equipment provided I could smuggle in my trusty Dogslicer if I make a successful check?

Hmmm...since that's a relevant class ability, I'll allow it same way I do bound items, so yes. :)

Okay, after talking and pondering the item situation some, I'm making a slight change.

Instead of "none of your own items", you can have up to 5000gp worth of items that are yours that you were allowed to keep or are kept in storage for you - the remaining 5500 gp of the Wealth By Level guidelines can be requisitioned on a fight by fight basis. No single item may be over 2000gp, barring DM approval.

SKRATTI

Goblin Rogue Level 3 (Knife Master Archetype), Fighter Level 2 (Weapon Master Archetype)

STR 14 +2
DEX 19 +4
CON 14 +2
INT 14 +2
WIS 10 +0
CHA 8 -1

Max HP: 43
Current HP: 43

BAB +4 (+5 with Dogslicers, +5 vs. larger opponents when allies are not nearby)
AC 20 (+1 Size, +1 Dodge, +4 Dexterity, +3 Armour), 21 vs. Light Weapons

Attack: Necksaw II +10 (1d4+3, 19-20/x2)

INIT +4

CMB +5
CMD 19 (20 vs. Sunder or Disarm while wielding a Dogslicer)

FORT +6
REF +7
WILL +1

Speed: 30ft. (Fast)
Carrying capacity: 58/59-116/117-175

Skills:

Acrobatics +12
Bluff +7
Jump +7
Craft (Weapons) +8
Escape Artist +12
Intimidate +5
Perception +7 (+9 to hear noises)
Sleight of Hand +12 (+13 to conceal his Dogslicer)
Stealth +20

Traits:

Goblin Foolhardiness: +1 to attack rolls with non-reach weapons vs. larger opponents when no allies are nearby.

Big Ears: +2 Perception to hear noises.

Class features:

Sneak Attack: +2d8 with Knives, +2d4 with other weapons

Hidden Blade: Adds half his Knife Master level to Sleight of Hand checks to conceal light blades.

Evasion: Reflex saves to take half damage now take no damage.

Blade Sense: +1 dodge bonus to AC vs. light blades

Befuddling Strike: Opponents hit by a Sneak Attack suffer -2 to hit for 2 rounds vs. the Rogue

Weapon Guard: +1 to CMD vs. Sunder and Disarm while wielding a Dogslicer

Feats:

Roll With It: Acrobatics check (DC 5 + damage dealt) after being hit in melee to convert damage into movement; staggered afterwards.

Weapon Finesse: Substitute Dexterity for Strength on attack rolls with light weapons.

Weapon Focus (Dogslicer): +1 on attack rolls with Dogslicers

Dodge: +1 AC

Gear: Necksaw II (+1 Dogslicer), +1 Leather Armour, Masterwork Buckler

Languages: Goblin, Dwarven, Orc.

[ic=Slashing Throats in the City of Slime]A skilled brigand and goblin cutthroat, the crafty, thoroughly unpleasant creature known only as Skratti was born in an alley off Sallowbone Street in a lightless warren deep in the Lowerlands – a slum in the underground city of Mucopolis, the City of Slime, commonly known as Snot-Town.  Ruled by a sentient ooze styled the Seeping Prince from some far-flung filth-dimension of elemental muck, the cosmopolitan city was home to every manner of deep-dweller: duergar, troglodytes, drow, ghouls, kobolds, and, of course, goblins.  Raised in the feculent ghetto of Scumside on the shores of the Olid River, Skratti quickly grew into a life of crime, falling in with a gang of were-rats, svirfneblin, and other Lowerlander riffraff, a band that called themselves the Drooling Knives.  Proving an extraordinarily talented cutthroat, Skratti quickly worked his way up the gang's hierarchy, fighting in turf wars with the local cabal of necromancer-thugs and their zombie enforcers, the reptiles-only Black Dragon Thieves' Guild, and half a dozen other petty bands.   Soon he was one of the Drooling Knives' higher-ranking lieutenants.  An ambitious little blighter, Skratti began to consider betraying the gang's leader, an albino gnoll called Slaverfang.

Unfortunately for Skratti, Slaverfang caught wind of the goblin's plans and arranged for the cutthroat to be taken in, making a deal with Snot-Town's police-force, the Squelchers.  When Skratti showed up at Slobbertongue Way expecting to find a mark waiting for him, driven into the back-street by other Drooling Knives, instead he found a police-controlled Apprehension Jelly and a pair of Squelcher handlers.  Before he knew what was happened, Skratti had been Squelched, sucked into the Apprehension Jelly's gelatinous body, suspended and powerless.  In due course he was tried for murder, thievery, breaking and entering, racketeering, bribing police officials, and a slew of other crimes.  His sentence?  To fight as a gladiator in the arena of Snot-Town, the Gorepits.

Of course, Skratti took to the Gorepits immediately.  Though his prized dogslicer, Necksaw, was confiscated, Skratti painstakingly crafted a new shiv in the gladiatorial stables beneath the arena, a weapon he had enchanted by a fellow inmate-gladiator.  Necksaw II cut many a throat, as Skratti became adept at taking down every manner of foe.  He quickly became a crowd favourite for his tactic of lurking in the shadows while opponents fought other gladiators, then leaping with blade extended at the backs of much bigger combatants, or scuttling forward to slash at his enemies' hamstrings.  After some time he was purchased by visiting slavers who took him on tour.[/ic]

Quote from: Xathan Back Again
Okay, after talking and pondering the item situation some, I'm making a slight change.

Instead of "none of your own items", you can have up to 5000gp worth of items that are yours that you were allowed to keep or are kept in storage for you - the remaining 5500 gp of the Wealth By Level guidelines can be requisitioned on a fight by fight basis. No single item may be over 2000gp, barring DM approval.

That sounds like a good idea; it allows for more strategic decisions.

Shathe of Shadeshame

Level 5 Fetchling Armiger

14 Strength, 18 Dexterity, 14 Constitution, 12 Intelligence, 10 Wisdom, 14 Charisma

57/57 HP

BAB: +3
AC: 26 (+10 Shadesteel Full Plate, +2 Shadesteel Heavy Shield, +3 Dexterity, +1 class)

Armour Check Penalty: -3

Init: + 4

CMB: +5
CMD: 19

Fortitude: +6
Reflex: +5
Will: +4

Attack: Xirdish Repeating Spring-Gun +9 (10 within 30 feet) (1d10+1, 19-20 x2)

Traits:

Jaded (+2 vs. fear), Armour Expert (-1 check penalty)

Race Abilities: Darkvision (60 feet), low light vision, +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (planes) and Stealth, Shadow Blending (attacks in low light have a flat 50% chance of missing), Cold and Electricity resistance of 5, disguise self 1/day.  

Class Abilities: Bulwark (Grants soft cover to any adjacent ally), Armiger Ability: Crossbow Brace (hold, fire, and reload a crossbow one handed while using a shield, additionally grants a +1 attack bonus with crossbows), Reflect (take only half damage from any attack, spell, or ability that allows a Reflex saving throw), Defensive Maximization (increases AC bonus by +1), Armoured DR (DR 1/-), Quick Strap (don or remove armour in 1/3 normal time, etc.), Armiger Ability: Armour Training (-1 to check penalty, +1 to possible dex bonus for AC)

Feats:

Point Blank Shot (+1 to attack and damage rolls within 30 feet), Precise Shot (Fire ranged weapons at opponents engaged in melee without penalty), Weapon Focus: Xirdish Repeating Spring-Gun

Languages: Common, Xirdish

[ic=The Manufacture of Melancholy]Shathe, as his name would imply, was born in the city of Shadeshame on the Orb of Shadow. The son of a clerk and a seamstress, his life began quite inauspiciously. Shathe was a happy child, ever with a smile on his face and laughter in his throat. He was beloved by all the members of his family. Unfortunately, it was not to last. Through some twist of fate - or perhaps the meddling of a malicious godling - Shathe was abducted on the morning of his third birthday by one of the most diabolical beings in all the universe. The one - the only..! - Xoc-Xoctis of Xird! Famed sorcerer (watch out!), dashing rake (so suave), accomplished scientist (sort of), feared pirate (bad news!), and enormous gelatinous blob (literally). And so, Shathe found himself the unsuspecting recipient of a truly great honor: the youngest crew member (ever!) of the void-ship Festicating Runkus.  

Shathe was immediately regarded as an incredible asset by the crew. His delicate hands gifting him unparalleled ability to repair frayed wiring. His small shape allowing him easy access to the vents and crawlspaces of the ship, which were as always in dire need of maintenance. Of course, as he grew, so too did his list of duties: repelling boarders, seizing booty, moving heavy furniture, and escorting Xoc's many female guests. Perhaps showing some small sentiment (or more likely, a desire to differentiate his menagerie) Xoc armoured Shathe in a great and villainous suit of Shadesteel, and armed him with a deadly Xs'Pringitch (or Xirdish Spring-Gun, as it is known in the more backwards corners of the void). Truly, Shathe was grateful for his luck and the boundless generosity of his master. Xoc came to trust Shathe above all his minions, and so assigned him the most critical missions. When Xoc was stricken with a powerful desire for fresh smeeze it was Shathe who he sent into the bowels of a fearsome boar whale to get it. When Xoc accidentally dropped his favourite pipe in the depths of the techno-fortress of the Baron Horace von Horowitz in the midst of a raid, it was Shathe who he sent back to retrieve it! And when Xoc needs money, it is Shathe who he sells, knowing he will fetch the greatest price! It has been months now that Shathe has fought in the gladiatorial pits, but he is confident that his master will once again return for him, as he always does.[/ic]

Love the backstories and characters y'all are giving me - I've got a ton to work with here. :D the characters seem really solid too - this is shaping up better than I hoped. :D

HOLY CRAP that is a high AC.

Quote from: Steerpike
HOLY CRAP that is a high AC.

Full plate has that effect, especially when shield added. Downside? Touch attacks. :P

(would be nice if I had time for all the IRC games...)
Steerpike, isn't the Dogslicer too big for the Knife Master bonuses to apply?

It's a small dogslicer, not a medium-sized one... 1d4 damage with 19-20/x2, a light weapon.  I assumed that such a weapon would count as a "light blade."

Dogslicer is listed under the Light Martial Weapons category on the PaSRD, so that's what matters, regardless of small or medium. :)

And Crow, this game is going to be True Episodic - any ongoing plotlines between sessions will be easily caught up on and will not require group participation, just that you pay attention to the intro wall of text for each session (sort of a "Last Time on Circle of Punishment" thing.) So feel free to roll up - even if you only attend twice, hopefully you'll still have fun!

And I feel, since I know the last two players (Sabr and Sparkle) are relatively close to having their characters done, it's time to discuss time for first session: Right now, Weds and Friday during the day are my best times on a weekly basis (unless Fimbulvinter moves to Wednesdays) with an end time prior to 4pm CST and a start time as early as 9am, though I could easily start later (I anticipate each session running 3-4 hours, though the first will probably be shorter). Would that work for anyone? and if not, I have some less optimal times I could do it, so please share availability. :)

Either of those days works for me.  Having consulted various players I'm keeping Fimbulvinter on Mondays - I think everyone can make it semi-regularly on Mondays, which is good enough for me.

I'm free either day, pretty much all day, so whatever time works for others is fine with me.  I'd say if I had to pick a day, Wednesday would be preferable.

I'm going to play Skratti as a complete scumbag, lurking in shadows and staying out of fights, attacking weak and already engaged enemies for flanking, running away if strong foes attempt to go toe-toe with him.

Awesome, Steerpike!

Anyone else know their schedule?

Wednesday works for me.

Friday is honestly better for me than Wednesday, but if the consensus is Wednesday, then I will do my best to make it. I should be able to.

I won't be free either day every week but probably will be available more often on wednesdays than fridays.

Right now, I'm looking at first game being next Wednesday, assuming Sparkle and Kindling can make it - is that possible? And for everyone, what times would you be free?

Any time between 11 AM EST and 8pm EST.

So that's...10-7 CST? Awesome, I can work with that no problem.

BTW, if everyone could post their availability in either CST or EST I'd appreciate it (I live in CST, and EST is just CST+1, so it makes math easier - anything else and I get confused)

My availability will change week by week, I'm afraid.

Oh, I'm not looking for a regularly scheduled time - just wondering what time would work for you this upcoming Wednesday. :)

Lexirtsul

[ic=Origins]At first glance, Lexirtsul would seem to be an exotic beauty with flowing platinum hair, a fair countenance, and a shapely physique. Yet, it is clear she is something other than fully human. She has the blood of night hags in her, and with it, their abyssal curse. As such, her light skin has a curious blue tinge when viewed in the right light. One of her eyes is brown, the other an odd sickly yellow-green. Her lips are abnormally dark, and hide a mouth full of wickedly sharp teeth. Every step she takes is filled with feminine grace, but also the careful motions of a stalking predator. In combat, she wears form fitting light armor, specifically designed not to interfere with her dextrous motion or her spellcasting. She had it custom-made, just like her master-crafted weapons, two fearsome hand axes she wields like extensions of her own hands.

Abandoned by her hideous mother and left alone on the steps of a temple, she quickly learned that the world was not kind to one like her. She trained to fight out of necessity, but soon learned she had quite a talent for combat. Fortunately for someone with such skills, she lived in rough lands and trying times. There was always work for a mercenary. She was paid well for her work, acquiring her signature equipment as well as a fearsome reputation. With the natural predisposition towards the dark arts that her bloodline gave her, she soon added a few cantrips to her repertoire, as well. However, she did not gain a true mastery of magic until she broke into the local mages' guild, stealing as many scrolls and spellbooks as she could carry, and then sneaking away to the shadows to study their mysteries.

She travelled throughout the wild southern lands, selling her sword, her spells.. and when the price (and the client) was right, herself as well. Preferring the lush lifestyle of a courtesan to the deadly dance of combat, she tried to settle down, but here her past caught up with her, when her client was none other than the guildmaster himself. A duel of sorcery and steel ensued, but Lexirtsul was eventually overwhelmed and captured. Put on trial, the guildmaster advocated immediate execution of one so dangerous. However, the judge was a fat, throughly corrupt old man, who was not on good terms with the guildmaster at all. He saw only an attractive young woman of a freakish abyssal bloodline. This chance to create a sadistic and salacious display would surely assure his reappointment to the bench for the rest of his life; he opted to sentence her to the fighting pits.

They were expecting a slaughter, and they got one. Not the way they intended, certainly. At first, it only added to the crowd's enthusiasm for the spectacle when she had more fight in her than expected-- the crowd cheered when she cleaved the head cleanly off of the first orc warrior they set upon her. However, when the second one abruptly convulsed, spasmed, and exploded in a shower of blue sparks, the crowd grew nervous and began calmly trying to find the exits. When the third one met his end as well-- an armored orc warlord who was supposed to deliver the killing blow-- panic ensued.

As she took advantage of the pandemonium to dash out of the arena into the night, she bumped into a well-dressed and mysterious figure. "I know where a girl like you who knew tricks like that could make some -real- money," he said.
[/ic]

Tiefling Magus (Hexcrafter) 5

STR 10 +0
DEX 18 +4
CON 14 +2
INT 18 +4
WIS 10 +0
CHA 11 +0

Max HP: 48
Current HP: 48

BAB +3
AC 17 (+4 dexterity, +3 armor)

Melee Attack: Za Sali +8 (1d6+4, 18-20/x2)

Init +4
CMB +3
CMD 17

FORT +6
REF +6
WILL +4

Speed: 30ft.
Carrying capacity: 33/34-66/67-100

Skills (30 points):
Acrobatics 9 (5 + dex 4)
Bluff 2 (+2 racial + cha 0)
Fly 12 (5 + dex 4 + class)
Intimidate 5 (2 + cha 0 + class)
Knowledge (Arcana) 8 (1 + int 4 + class)
Perception 5 (5 + wis 0)
Perform (Dance) 5 (5 + cha 0)
Spellcraft 12 (5 + int 4 + class)
Stealth 6 (+2 racial + dex 4)
Swim 8 (1 + str 0 + 4 from Flight hex + class)
Use Magic Device 4 (1 + cha 0 + class)

Racial Abilities:
Darkvision 60 ft
+2 to Bluff and Stealth
Alter Self once a day
Cold Resistance 5, Fire Resistance 5, Electric Resistance 5

Class Features:
Arcane Pool: 6 points available (actually 6.5)
Spell Combat: Cast a spell and make an attack at the same time for a -2 to each
Spellstrike: Deliver touch spells through a weapon
Magus Arcana: Animate Weapon (A weapon can fly off and attack on its own)
Hexcrafter Hex: Flight (Fly around like the spell for 5 minutes a day)

Feats:
Arcane Strike: Use a swift action to get +2 to damage for the rest of the round (+1, plus an additional +1 for every 5 caster levels)
Dervish Dance: Use dex for damage when using scimitars
Eschew Materials: Spells with cheap material components don't need them
Piranha Strike: -1 to hit, +2 damage (Power attack for one-handed dex-based fighting)
Weapon Finesse: Use dex to make melee attacks

Spells Per Day: Cantrips, 5x level 1, 3x level 2
Spells Known:
(1) Color Spray, Frostbite, Grease, Hydraulic Push, Magic Missile, Shocking Grasp, Shield, Silent Image, True Strike, Unseen Servant, Vanish
(2) Flaming Sphere, Frigid Touch, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Vomit Swarm

Equipment:
2 Masterwork Za Sali knives (reskinned scimitar, see below)
Masterwork Chakram
2 Level 1 Pearls of Power, inlaid into bracelets
Leather Armor +1, in the form of a stylish corset, opera gloves, and high boots

Languages: Common, Abyssal, Elven, Infernal, Orc

[spoiler=Flavorful Modifications]
Here's the part where I demonstrate I'm too used to lightweight systems that make/let you write your own fluff to play Pathfinder like a normal person.
I believe Xathan has cleared all of this. If anything's amiss, let me know.

Scimitar Reskin
Lexirtsul uses a nifty dex-based fighting feat, Dervish Dance, that requires you to use a scimitar-- no doubt so people could easily implement their Drizzt knockoffs. I am using light hand blades inspired by weapons called Za Sali, a type of African knife: http://www.mambele.be/images/mambele/img/web/0596.jpg
Mechanically, though, they will have the same stats as a scimitar, so I believe the feat is unaffected. I just like the look and feel more.

Cosmetic Second Weapon
I rather like the idea of her bounding about the battlefield, slicing and dicing enemies with her two fancy little knives. Normally, though, this doesn't really mesh with some of the mechanics, which require an empty other hand for most spells' somatic components as well as to use her Dervish Dance feat. However, I am not going to use a shield or make actual two-weapon attacks. The second weapon is purely for flavor and has no real game mechanics relevance, so her off-hand is, for game mechanics purposes, empty.

Animate Weapon
I believe the intention of Animate Weapon was to have a sword or the like that floats through the air as if wielded by an invisible fencer. However, I rather like the idea of her chakram spinning and flying through the air as if thrown, but possessing the same malicious intelligence, mercilessly chasing down anyone who tries to run. Sometimes this would make the weapon too fast, but it could always zip over the target's head, take a scenic arc around the venue, and then end up where it's "supposed" to be.

Spell Modifications
Some of her spells are modified, like Flight being less about Peter Pan soaring and more about wuxia leaping, and Color Spray being less sparkly and more horrific. I'll come up with other stuff as I think of it, but it's all cosmetic-- none of it will change what the spell fundamentally does. Hopefully the crowd will appreciate the variety nonetheless!
[/spoiler]

[ooc=Minor Change]After seeing what didn't work in the first session Xathan permitted me a small retroactive change to my character. I've swapped out Weapon Focus for Pirahana strike.[/ooc]

Looks good, Sparkle!

(BTW, for those who were wondering, after much discussion I allowed the substitution of Alter Self for the Tiefling racial Darkness, since it fits Night Hag lineage better and, while more powerful in any other game, is actually less so in a gladiator fighting game. :) )



Right now I have exact times for Steerpike and...Steerpike. I know not everyone has their schedule yet for work, but I was wondering if I could either have times or if you could let me know when you'll know your availability. :)

I should know the day after tomorrow.

Awesome - that's when Sabr should have his as well. :)

[ic=A Short Accounting of Events]My name is Luxim Wimwick, and I'm the only one who knows about the threat to life as we know it. Yes that does sound overly dramatic. No I'm not kidding. What could I gain from joking about something like that?

How do I know? An angel told me. A Cassisian. Yes one of those little winged helms. What exactly did it tell me? Well, it was a long time ago, so I couldn't tell you the exact words, but I can paraphrase it for you.

"There is an unseen threat to the entire world. The Solasch are invading the minds of everyone they can get alone to infect. They will stop at nothing to secure the body of every living being on this planet. The only way to kill the creatures is with fire and, given my profession, my high level of intelligence, and my unshakable demeanor, I was in a unique position to be able to cure the 'infection'."

Being skeptical of this story at first, I asked the lesser angel many questions for more information. Needless to say I was convinced of the threat by the end of the discussion. So I left my home of 50 years, after purifying my village of the threat there. The infection was quite extensive and, unfortunately, no one could be saved.

Why not? Well, of course because the Solasch cannot be removed from a body they inhabit without killing the body. In fact, due to the nature of the inhabitation, the Solasch effectively kill the consciousness of the person. In order to kill the Solasch, you must kill the body. And since the body isn't holding any remnant of the old person (save their soul), it is really a blessing to burn them to ash. With beautiful, red, flickering fire.

Sorry, I missed that. How did I end up here in the Pit? Well, going around fighting an invisible war against an invading force so insidious that almost no one is even entrusted to fight in it, is sometimes looked upon as a lone man committing criminal acts. So, during a raid on a stronghold of the Solasch I was conducting, I was apprehended by the fiends as I was watching the building burn down to make sure that none of the vile creatures escaped. They had taken the bodies of the town guards and I had to allow them to take me lest I seem like someone who knew what they were doing and not some crazed arsonist.

So, the powers that be have locked me away in this place. However, I'm sure that while I devise a way to escape, I can root out some of the invasion force that has infiltrated this place.

What am I doing with this fire? Well. I've told you my secret. You might talk to the enemy. Or worse, you could

be the enemy trying to discover my true purpose. I can't let you live. You're a security risk. Rustala, the Cassisian, agrees with me in fact. Now hold still and I'll make this as painless as possible...[/ic]

Luxim Wimwick
Level 5 Gnome Alchemist
67 y/o, 3'9" tall, 35 lbs

STR 10 +0
DEX 14 +2
CON 15 +2
INT 18 +4
WIS 12 +1
CHA 12 +1

Max HP: 42  ::  Current HP: 42
BAB +4 ( +3(base) + 1(small); +1 vs reptilian/goblinoids, +1 with thrown splash weapons, +2 ranged weapons, +0 melee weapons)
AC 17 ( 10 + 2(Dex) + 4(Mithril) + 1(Small); +4 vs giants)
CMB +2
CMD 14

Saves:
Fort +6 (+10 (6 base + 4 class skill) vs Poisons)
Ref +6
Will +2

Speed: 25ft.
Carrying Capacity: 33, 34-66, 67-100.

Skills:
Acrobatics 7 (5sp + 2 Dex)
Climb 5 (5sp)
Craft (Alchemy) 18 (5sp + 3 class skill + 4 Int + 2 obsessive racial trait + 2 Master Alchemist + 2 Alchemical Rigging)
Disable Device 10 (5sp + 3 class skill + 2 Dex)
Knowledge (Arcana) 12 (5sp + 3 class skill + 4 Int)
Knowledge (Nature) 12 (5sp + 3 class skill + 4 Int)
Perception 3 (2 racial trait + 1 Wis)
Sleight of Hand 10 (5sp + 3 class skill + 2 Dex)
Spellcraft 12 (5sp + 3 class skill + 4 Int)
Stealth 6 (4 small size + 2 Dex)

Gear: 4248gp spent
Dagger, Flaming – 2302gp; 1d3 damage + 1d6 fire damage, +1 Attack Bonus.
Dagger, Silver (2) – 644gp; 1d3 damage +1 Attack Bonus, Silver.
Chain Shirt, Mithril – 1100gp; +4 AC, Max Dex 6, Armor Check Penalty -0, 10% arcane failure chance.
Alchemical Rigging – 202gp; +2 Craft (alchemy), holds items as a backpack. This is a set of bandoliers that strategically set up the location of all of Luxim's chemicals for his bombs, his premade extracts and mutagens, his mundane alchemical creations, and his daggers. This piece of equipment doubles as storage (as a backpack) and as an alchemists lab.

Racial Traits:

Small – +1 AC and attack rolls, -1 CMB and CMD, +4 Stealth
Slow Speed – 20' base speed
Low-Light Vision – can see 2x as far in the dark as humans
Defensive Training – +4 dodge to AC against Giants
Pyromaniac – the character is treated as 1 level higher when casting spells or throwing bombs that deal fire damage.
Hatred – +1 attacks against humanoid creatures with the reptilian and goblinoid subtypes.
Keen Senses – Gnomes receive +2 to Perception
Obsessive – Gnomes receive a +2 bonus to Craft or Profession skill of their choice.
Weapon Familiarity – Weapons with "gnome" in the name are treated as martial for gnomes.
Languages – Common, Gnome, Sylvan, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, False Celestial[/list]

Class features:

Alchemist Favored Class Option - +1/2 to the number of bombs/day (+2.5 bombs at lvl 5).
Alchemy – Create normal potions, extracts, bombs, and mutagens.
Bomb – 11.5 bombs per day at 3d6+4 fire damage, plus splash damage always equal to 7.
Brew Potion – Can brew potions of any formulae he knows, so long as the formula can be a potion, and his Alchemist level is equal to his caster level. (only up to lvl 3)
Mutagen – Brew 1 mutagen, grants +2 natural armor and +4 to one of the physical ability scores. -2 is applied to corresponding mental ability score.
Throw Anything – You don't suffer any penalties for using an improvised ranged weapon. In addition you gain a +1 bonus to thrown splash weapons and all splash weapons (including splash damage) gain a bonus in damage equal to the Alchemists Int bonus.
Discoveries – Explosive Bomb (All bombs now have a splash radius of 10'), Delayed Bomb (Can place a bomb anywhere and set to detonate in a number of rounds up to the Alchemist's level. If anyone other than the Alchemist attempts to touch or move the bomb, it explodes. If anyone breaks the bomb, it explodes. Anyone standing in the same square as the bomb when it detonates is effected as though the bomb had scored a direct hit. Splash damage as usual.)
Poison Resistance +4 Fort against poisons
Poison Use – Alchemists cannot accidentally poison themselves when applying them to weapons.
Swift Alchemy – Crafting alchemical items takes half the normal time, and poisons can be applied to weapons as a move action.[/list]

Feats:

• Extra Bombs – You can throw 2 additional bombs a day.
• Master Alchemist – You gain a +2 to Craft (Alchemy) checks. When making poisons, you can create a number of doses equal to your Int modifier at a time. These additional doses do not increase the time required, but they do increase the raw material cost. In addition, whenever you make alchemical items or poisons using Craft (alchemy), use the item's gp value as it's sp value when determining your progress.
• Fleet – You base speed is increased by 5' in light or no armor.

Formulae:

• Level 1 – 5/day
  
  • Bomber's Eye – Duration 1 round/lvl; While in effect, increase the range of thrown weapons by 10' and you receive a +1 attack bonus to thrown weapons.
  • Expeditious Retreat – Duration 1 minute/lvl; This spell increases your land speed by 30'.
• Level 2 – 3/day
  
  • Cat's Grace – Duration 1 minute/lvl; Spell grants a +4 bonus to Dex adding the usual benefits to AC, Reflex saves, and other uses of Dex.
  • Fire Breath – Range 15'; Area cone-shaped burst; Duration 1 round/lvl; Saving Throw Reflex, half (DC = 19); You can spew 3 cones of flame during the spell's duration. The first cone deals 4d6 to all creatures in the area, the second deals 2d6, the third deals 1d6. Reflex save halves damage. After the third cone, the spell ends.
  • Resist Energy – Duration 10 minutes/lvl; The subject gains resist energy 10 for the duration of the spell.
• Level 3 – 1/day
  
  • Draconic Reservoir – Duration 10 minutes/lvl; Functions as Protection from Energy, absorbing 6 points of one type of damage (your choice and based on the material components). Each round, as a swift action, the subject can release 1d6 points of absorbed energy and apply it to any melee attack, as if using an acidic, flaming, frost, or shock weapon. The first creature the subject strikes with this attack takes the energy damage in addition to the other consequences of the attack. The subject cannot release more energy than he has absorbed. Once all the energy has been released, the spell ends. Draconic Reservoir does not stack with Resist Energy.
• Level 4 – 1/day
  
  • Detonate – Range 30 ft; Area 30 ft radius, centered on you; Duration 1 round, then instantaneous; Saving Throw Reflex half (DC = 19); One round after you cast the spell, the energy explodes from your body. When this spell creates an explostion of energy, choose one of the energy types (fire). The explosion deals 1d8 points of damage of that energy type per caster level to all creatures and unattended objects within 15 feet and half that amount past 15 feet but within 30. You automatically take half the damage from the explosion with no saving throw but other damage reducing effects can still lessen the damage further.
  • Dragon's Breath – Saving Throw Reflex half (DC = 19); You breath a blast of energy. Creatures in the affected area take 1d6 points of energy damage per caster level. A successful Reflex save results in half damage. The spell's effect and energy type depend on the type of dragon scale used as material component. (Intending to requisition only Gold or Red dragon scales (30 ft cone of fire) and Brass dragon scales (60 ft line of fire)).

Spells: 1 per Day

• Dancing Lights – Range 150 feet (100ft + 10ft/lvl); Duration 1 minute; You create 4 lights that must stay within 10' of each other. They can move 100' per round, but they cannot go more than their range from the caster. They can be distributed in any way (within their range of each other) and can be grouped to create a glowing vaguely humanoid shape.
• Flare – Range 35 feet (25ft + 5ft/2 lvl); Duration instantaneous; Saving Throw Fortitude negates (DC = 19); You create a burst of light. You can cause the light to discharge in front of a single creature and that creature is dazed for 1 minute (unless they save)
• Prestidigitation – see text*
• Produce Flame – Duration 1 minute/lvl; Flames as bright as a torch appear in your open hand. The flames don't harm you or your equipment. The flames provide illumination and can be hurled or used to touch enemies. You can strike an opponent with a melee touch attack dealing fire damage equial to 1d6+5 (+1/lvl, max +5). You can also hurl the flames up to 120 feet as a thrown weapon. This is a ranged touch attack and it deals the same damage as the melee attack. As soon as you throw the flames, a new ball appears in your hand, but the duration decreases by 1 minute. When the duration reaches 0 minutes, the spell ends.

*I don't intend to use Prestidigitation all that often since it's effects are so limited and useless. I will not need the text in combat.[/list]

Also, confirming it now: I WILL be available for the first session of this game on Wednesday! I'm super excited.

If my Fimbulvinter bonus session runs the risk of encroaching on Circle, Circle should take precedence!

I have nothing pressing Wednesday afternoon, so, as long as you pick a time and give me a bit of notice, I can put off doing work and be there. :D

Alright, right now I'm looking at Wednesday evening, around 8CST as a possibility - with Fimbulvinter during the day and some other availability issues, that's probably the most likely time. Who all does that work for again?

Steerpike: Sparkle would be busy while Fimbulvinter is going on anyway, so we'd have to do it afternoon/evening.

I'll actually be at a meeting during that time, unfortunately (unique to this week, not a regular thing).  Feel free to either count me out for that session, or take the Fimbulvinter time-slot, though!  If I can't make this one I can always make another, and a small number of players per session might actually be better for a very combat-heavy game, so people don't have to wait around for their turn.

Quote from: Steerpike
I'll actually be at a meeting during that time, unfortunately (unique to this week, not a regular thing).  Feel free to either count me out for that session, or take the Fimbulvinter time-slot, though!  If I can't make this one I can always make another, and a small number of players per session might actually be better for a very combat-heavy game, so people don't have to wait around for their turn.

I'd hate to take the Fimbulvinter time slot. Here's what seems to work best - aiming for 1:30 CST (2:30 EST), which gives Fimbulvinter 2.5-3 hours and gives CoP the same amount of time, so everyone who wants to play in both can. :) Sound good for everyone?

I'll be free wednesday this week :)

I will be there. :D

I know Sabr's in, and assuming Fimbulvinter ends in time (if not, I'll just exit when Circle's going to start) I believe Steerpike is free as well - and TMG is going to be free from what he said in IRC. We're gonna have a full group! (this session, with combat? Might have to stop midway through since we have 5 PCs and resume later. :P)

So when are we gonna finish up the fight!?! I haven't even been able to set anything on fire yet! lol

Sorry for the long delay here:

Circle of Punishment is still on. I'd like to get the next session together some time next week, and would love everyone's availability. Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday are right out as of now for me. How about for you all?

I might be able to make next Wednesday.  But as Skratti isn't currently in the fight, don't prioritize because of me.

It could always be the second "Friday night game," but that might leave Kindling out in the cold depending on the time. A Friday afternoon game, instead?

I'm really only available on Monday this week. After that I'm at work and then on vacation for a week and a half, so the next day I would possibly be available for a game would be on March 12 (and I'm not sure if work will get in the way there either).