The Campaign Builder's Guild

The Age of Soot
Chapter One: Into The Smoke

(http://www.firstpulseprojects.net/riot_2003/Smoke_a.jpg)
Illus. Joy Garnett

Our tribe has always been one of peace and harmony. Long have we lived in these woods, protecting the sacred stones and living out our lives in modest solitude. Much have we heard of the outside world, too many times have others told us of pain and sorrow. But we are happy here. Maybe not as individuals, but we as a tribe are united with both ourselves and those around us. We do not know why it happened to us, why the sky has turned black. We do not know why the sacred stones have fallen, why a soft red and orange light fills the night sky. Something is coming. I can feel its fury...
   - Lazz Duur, Centaur Seer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Age of Soot is an adventure into a new world, one of excitement and death, adventure and destruction. You will explore rich, deep woodlands, delve into ancient ruins, race across verdant plains, and scale the steepest mountains in the search to end the ultimate threat!

The purpose of this campaign is to run a long-lasting game filled with excitement and adventure. I post a lot, and like to provide lots of detail and precision. Iâ,¬,,¢m looking for PCs who will be online a lot and are able to post frequently. While post size isnâ,¬,,¢t too big a deal, I prefer people who make posts long enough to cover all the details of what their character is doing.

- 4-8 PCs
- Core, Completes, and Races of the Wild
- 1st level
- 32 point buy
- Maximum gold for your class
- Races Allowed:

*Elf
*Halfling
*Raptorian
*Gnoll
*Centaur
*Killoren
*Catfolk
*

Florian (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=7841741)
*Canus (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=7873669)
*Karnyr (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=8057946)
*Sarrun (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=7841762)
*Kirik (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=7972734)
[/list]
Note: if you choose a character with a Level Adjustment, you will recieve a bigger challenge than those who do not. I also ask that you all use the racial class versions of the gnoll and centaur.

House Rules

-All outfits cost money and have weight
-Starting familiars cost 100 gp worth of summoning materials

The World
You are all to start as part of the clan Shuris, a society created through an alliance between multitudes of different races from ages past. Shuris is located deep within the Nal Forest, a vast expanse of woodlands so large most of you have never fully explored all of its wonders. While the clan itself is relatively small, it holds several uneasy alliances with the neighboring tribes, allowing many different creatures to travel freely between the groups with little more than nervous tension. The stones have not fallen yet, but are beginning to waver, causing great concern amongst the guardian clerics of Obad-Hai, the primary deity of the Shuris clan.

Ok then, I'll edit this if i must, but i have some questions for you....  i'd really like to play a gnoll, and i'll flesh it out some...  but I don't have Races of the Wild and therefore I can't read the updated gnoll stats.  can you post them, or is that not OGC?  If not, can I do this?

Oh, and by the way, I am most definitely interested in playing.

Well, I'm not sure about posting the stats on these threads (copyright laws and such). I'll PM it to you. (Go to Profile to read PMs)

If you want to try some of my more gnoll-adapted races, I would suggest you take a look at the Canus and the Karnyr. The Canus are effectively half-gnolls that are wolf-like in appearance with no LA, and the Karnyr are a species that is bestial in appearance and VERY ferocious.

ok, I'll take a look, but if you could get me the gnoll stats i'd be very happy...  

i know I'm supposed to test the races, but I truly love Gnolls, incase you couldn't tell by the sig and avi...

"A vicious creature with feral instincts, who strugles internally to restrain his sanguine urges to slaughter everyone around him..."

I see a concept emerging here...  and thanks for the chance to play a gnoll!

And that's why the Karnyr are my favorite :)

If you still want to use a Gnoll, I would most likely use the same starting gold as the Ranger since the two have the same HD and it's the Gnoll's favorite class. I would, however, promote you give the Karnyr a whirl since they are, in my opinion, a better race to build upon. Their natural weapon(s) unlock a few unique feats from MM and Savage Species, and their personalities lead to more in-depth characters.  8)

EDIT: after going over Savage Species, I have found there are no feats which the Karnyr can take.

well, I don't have savage species, but i guess I'll give the Karnyr another look...  but I really do like gnolls, and you were the one who put it as an option...

Are you sure the Karnyr shouldn't have at least a +1 LA?  they seem awfully stron, what with natural weapons and all...

Anyway, I really like them, I might play one, but the problem i am having is jusifying why one would adventure at all?

Quote from: Natural 20"A vicious creature with feral instincts, who strugles internally to restrain his sanguine urges to slaughter everyone around him..."

I see a concept emerging here...  and thanks for the chance to play a gnoll!

Oops. Heh, sorry. When you were talking about fighting feral instincts to kill everything around, karnyr popped into my mind. If you want to play a gnoll more than a karnyr, by all means do so.

Quote from karnyr description:
Karnyr travel across the land almost always to seek out a worthy challenge or to carry out a task assigned by their clan. A handful also choose to adventure with friends, but since karnyr normally do not hold close ties with anyone outside of their clans, these explorations are frequently cut abruptly short.

The difference is: while karnyr have that powerful bite attack, they can't hold or weild anything in that hand. This is a huge setback as it limits their choice in weaponry, as well as making them unable to use ranged weapons (except for crossbows, which they need to have someone else reload and must shoot with one hand).

Ok, it just seems a bit complicated to me, what with all of their special abilities...  and to admit the truth, I've never been a player before, on PbP or in real life.  and Dm'ing has truly been a limited experience as well...

Hey, we've all gotta start somewhere.  :)

i suppose...  did the Races people at WoTC think it was a big enough trade-off to leave them at +0 LA?

The race has been on the Races thread for around 3 months now without any objection to their level adjustment. I have recieved comments on all the races given, but they all state they are balanced, if a little odd.

alright, what level game are we talking about here?

And is it gonna be more outdoorsy, or dungeon-environment?(ranger vs. fighter choice decision here...)

Should I just wait for he other players to decide what (class/character type) I should be?("If you build it, they will come")

EDIT:  alright, if the WoTC boards ssaid they were alright, then I will concede to their judgement...  I'll just let somebody else play one though, as they seem very complicated to me...  

Then again, I have looked at your Florians before, and they do sound fun...  maybe I should play one of them...?

Quote from: Natural 20alright, what level game are we talking about here?

And is it gonna be more outdoorsy, or dungeon-environment?(ranger vs. fighter choice decision here...)

Should I just wait for he other players to decide what (class/character type) I should be?("If you build it, they will come")

EDIT:  alright, if the WoTC boards ssaid they were alright, then I will concede to their judgement...  I'll just let somebody else play one though, as they seem very complicated to me...  

Then again, I have looked at your Florians before, and they do sound fun...  maybe I should play one of them...?

The Florians would be fun too. They would be the most difficult race to play out as a character, but if you can pull it off that would be great. If you feel uncomfortable with that, just do what you feel to be right.

Most of the campaign is going to be outside (you're starting in the woodlands, as mentioned in the "The World" section, above), so a ranger would be most suitable. However, you will be going underground or in cramped spaces from time to time, so I have no real recommendation in that department.

Yeah, I think a good rule to follow is to create a character and then throw him into the campaign. Creating a chararacter with thre game in mind is just going to hinder the creative process. (I keep a mental list of characters and their personalities for whenever I need a new one)

I'm interested in playing, but I would like to know first how often you're going to expect us to post (this IS a PbP right?).

Will we be playing on this site?

I assume psionics are out?

Thx,
Túrin

Yes, it's a PbP. Ishmayl hasn't made a forum for PbPs yet, so I'm keeping it in the DD until further notice.

Yes, psionics are out, sadly. I was considering using it, but it would create too many issues with what I have planned out for the party. In time you may encounter psionics (still undecided), in which case you can unlock the powers of your character's mind with the aid of another.

Oh, and a little advice: you are going to want a character who can move quickly, so I discourage that you go with a tank that isn't able to carry his arse any slower than 20 feet.

I would like to point out that you didn't answer my first (and primary) question, namely what rate of posting you will be expecting from your players.

Thanks for the answers. Advice duly noted. ;)

Quote from: TúrinI would like to point out that you didn't answer my first (and primary) question, namely what rate of posting you will be expecting from your players.

Thanks for the answers. Advice duly noted. ;)

I think I can give this a try.  Are you going to start a new thread when you have a group of the appropriate size?

Yes, once character sheets are made ect. The age of soot game will be created for totally in character playing.

Turin: To quote the DM "Iâ,¬,,¢m looking for PCs who will be online a lot and are able to post frequently. While post size isnâ,¬,,¢t too big a deal, I prefer people who make posts long enough to cover all the details of what their character is doing."

I noticed that but I need a more specific answer. I think I will be able to make a post two or three times a week (one in the weekend, one on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday). Will that suffice?

Also, Raelifin, I mean this in the most non-offensive way possible but uhm... are you speaking with authority?

Haha, I can see your concern. I keep in close contact (read: he bugs be every three seconds) with Senkennomei and he can tell me if I step out of line. I was the one who suggested that he could start a game here instead of on the WotC forums that we both frequent. He seems to be following their format so I figured I'd elaborate for those who haven't done any PbP before.

That's alright then. So, any idea whether the frequency I mentioned would be enough?

3 or 4 times a week should be fine. I'm multitasking with another game and I don't frequent these boards as much as I do the WOTC ones, so that rate is perfect.

Fair enough. I'll try to work up a character next week. Anything you particularly want to know about the character in advance (besides stats and a short biography)?

Right now I think I'm going with a recent idea of mine of basing a character on Aristotelian philosophy, though that might change as I get into more detail.

;) Túrin

What race would be good: I am narrowing down the tribal races based on what creatures all the PCs select.

Speaking of races, you don't have Killoren and Catfolk linked in the OP. What are they?

Jurukin
Male canus rogue 1
CN Medium humanoid (Canus)
Init: +7; Sense: darkvision 60ft., scent 30ft. (5ft.); Listen +2, Spot +2
Languages: Common, Gnoll
-----------------------------------------------------
AC 15; touch 13 flat-footed 12
hp 8 (1 HD)
Raw Hunger
Fort +2 Ref +5 Will -1
-----------------------------------------------------
Speed 30ft.
Melee: morningstar +1 (1d8+1/20)
Ranged: light crossbow +3 (1d8/19-20)
Base Atk +0; Grp +1;
Sneak Attack (+1d6)
-----------------------------------------------------
Abilities: Str 13 Dex 16 Con 14 Int 13 Wis 8 Cha 14
Feats: Improved Initiative
Skills: Balance +5, Bluff +4, Diplomacy +4, Disable Device +5, Disguise +4, Gather Information +5, Hide +7, Jump +2, Listen +1, Move Silently +7, Open Lock +7, Search +5, Spot +1, Tumble +5, Use Magic Device +4
Possessions: Leather Armor, Morningstar, Light Crossbow, Quiver w/10 bolts; Backpack: Bedroll, Silk Rope (50ft.) w/ grappling hook, Sack (empty), waterskin (empty); Explorer's outfit: Mstwk Thieve's Tools, Trail Rations (1), Belt Pouch w/19 gp, 13 sp;
Weight: 44.5lbs. /50lbs.
--------------------------------------------------
Appearance: Brown and green clothes with a funny green hood, scar over cheek, 12 years old, 6ft., 199lbs.;

Quote from: TúrinSpeaking of races, you don't have Killoren and Catfolk linked in the OP. What are they?

They are from Races of the Wild, and not available in the SRD.

Wixman: I hope you will go more in-depth with your character's physical description. A background and personality section would also be greatly appreciated. Just post what you would as if you were doing a submission on WOTC. While competition is very low (maybe even non-existant), it is easier on myself and the other players to formulate interactions with the information.

Umz, i'll make a background when you give me the setting/

Good lord, don't any of your read the first post?!

Quote from: Senkennomei
The World
You are all to start as part of the clan Shuris, a society created through an alliance between multitudes of different races from ages past. Shuris is located deep within the Nal Forest, a vast expanse of woodlands so large most of you have never fully explored all of its wonders. While the clan itself is relatively small, it holds several uneasy alliances with the neighboring tribes, allowing many different creatures to travel freely between the groups with little more than nervous tension. The stones have not fallen yet, but are beginning to waver, causing great concern amongst the guardian clerics of Obad-Hai, the primary deity of the Shuris clan.

Put it simply, make up your own background. You haven't been outside the woods, but your character can be from another tribe, a member of Shuris, whatever. You just need to have a decent background explaining how he/she came to be what he/she is today.

Here we go...
Jurukin was born into a family of beggars and thieves. His family was used by an outside alliance to run an underground mill with the cubs. Jurukin was used to break into places to get materials. During the history of the udnerground mill, this secret alliance cut off its communication with the mill. Jurukin used this oppurtunity to escape. He eventually joined a spy gang, the Reverse Soldiers, and became a junior member. He wasn't privy to much of the information that the organization got but he did gather a few things they needed. He made some real friends in there including Reina (elf) and Doun (catfolk). A safe house was attacked while Jurukin was in it and Jurukin escaped but he had fairly concrete evidence that everyone had died except for Reina and Doun. He ran away and joined the clan of Shuris to escape his past. (How bout' that?)

Can I give myself Common as a language even if I can't afford it?  It's just that I foresee problems arising if I don't have it.

Which race doesn't have common? *Runs off and looks*

Wixman: That's a good background, you might want to think of a better name than that for the gang, and I would also like to know what races these accomplices are.

You might want to look this over, because i'm not sure I did it right...



???
Male Gnoll 1
CN Medium humanoid (Gnoll)
Init: +2; Sense: darkvision 60ft.
Languages: Gnoll
-----------------------------------------------------
AC 15; touch 12 flat-footed 13
hp 9 (1 HD)
Fort +2 Ref +0 Will +0
-----------------------------------------------------
Speed 30ft.
Melee:  Greataxe +6 (1d12/20-x3)
Ranged: Shortbow +2 (1d6/20-x3)
Base Atk +0; Grp +4;
-----------------------------------------------------
Abilities: Str 19 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 8 Wis 12 Cha 8
Feats: Power Attack
Skills: Listen +2, Spot +2
Possessions: Studded Leather Armor, Greataxe, Shortbow, Quiver w/20 arrows; Backpack: Bedroll, Hempen Rope (100 ft.) w/ grappling hook, 5 Sacks (empty), waterskin (full); Traveler's outfit;flint and steel,3 Vials of Acid, Alchemist's fire, 2 tanglefoot bags; 10 ft. Pole; crowbar; 3 bags of caltrops; 2 sp
Weight: 105.5 lbs. /116 lbs.
--------------------------------------------------
Appearance: A tall, bulky figure hidden in well-worn robes.  Under the hood you can make out a muzzle with gleaming fangs, and two glowing green eyes stare out at you from the shadow.
Age:15  Weight:200 lbs.  Height: 6 ft. Eyes: green  Hair: black  Skin: black fur

Personality: coming soon...

Okay, everything looks good, but I can't check over everything because I am currently out of state and I don't have my materials.

As for Common as a language, no, I won't provide it as a bonus language simply because you can always just Cross-Class Speak Language or invest 2 points into Intelligence. Worst comes to worst you can make an agreement with one of the other PCs to have your backgrounds intertwine and let the other serve as a translator.

Ok, I'll deal then.  Wixman's character speaks common anyway, so I guess he'll have to translate.  I'm getting Kalos to help with my character's name, and once I get that I'll put up my backstory.

Actually, I might, MIGHT have to shut down this campaign and transfer over to the one on the WOTC boards. I am holding a Pregame on it tomorrow and need to be focusing on that one. Fortunately most of the available races are the same (though the world isn't), so you can transfer your creations over.

The adventure line is more constructed on the other, as well as there being more opportunities for your characters to play in a high-magic setting.

Gnolls ARE available in the other campaign if my memory is correct, and you can play them right out of the gate without the racial class levels.

Well, I was getting used to the racial class levels.  and i really am not sure I could handle playing at WoTC, as they have so many restrictions, and there are players who would leave me in the dust.  since this is my first game, I was really hoping to play here.  I can give it a try though, if I must.

the WOTC game is now up and running, and is titled The Chronicles of Tiris.

You can also use the Gnoll progression if you would like.

Can you put up a link?  I probably couldn't find it if I tried all day. !lol

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=602768

Thanks Raelifin

EDIT: I put it up over there...  I hope I'll get to play...  Conveniently a tank, as I intend to go into barbarian/Ranger or Barbarian/Scout as I level up.

I edited my background. You like?

Looks good, but I would like to ask you to use a DM-friendly character sheet. If you do not have one, use this:

Name

Gender:
Race:
Class:
Alignment:
Deity:
Age:
Height:
Weight:

Attributes
[spoiler]
HD
Exp:

HP:

[B]Str:[/B]
[B]Dex:[/B]
[B]Con:[/B]
[B]Int:[/B]
[B]Wis:[/B]
[B]Cha:[/B]

Speed:

AC:
Touch:   Flat-Footed:

Initiative:

BAB:

[B]Fort:[/B]
[B]Ref:[/B]
[B]Will:[/B]

Grapple Bonus:

Racial Traits
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Class Features
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]


Feats:

Skills:
[spoiler]
Total Skill Points:

Appraise (Int)
Balance (Dex)
Bluff (Cha)
Climb (Str)
Concentration (Con)
Diplomacy (Cha)
Disguise (Cha)
Escape Artist (Dex)
Forgery (Int)
Gather Information (Cha)
Heal (Wis)
Hide (Dex)
Intimidate (Cha)
Jump (Str)
Listen (Wis)
Move Silently (Dex)
Ride (Dex)
Search (Int)
Sense Motive (Wis)
Spot (Wis)
Survival (Wis)
Swim (Str)
Use Rope (Dex)
[/spoiler]

Languages:

[/spoiler]

Equipment
[spoiler]
Equipment Name (Cost)(Weight) (Location)
[/spoiler]

Background
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Appearance
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Personality
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
   

Done and Done! Ã, (do you want me to leave the DMGII version there too?)

alright, my gnoll is finished over at WoTC

BTW, who are your top pick for characters, Senkennomei?

...I have the right to remain silent. Anything I say can and will be used against me. I have the right to an attourney. If I can not afford one, one will be provided for me in a court of law. I have the right to...

Actually, if I remember correctly I like your's. I haven't gotten around to reading all of them yet, I'll give you some constructive criticism later today. As for now: off to my math quiz

OKEY! I'll wait then... don't forget to look over Natural 20's.

 :ball:

Okay, I've looked over it and there are a few problems:
1) It's not in a DM-friendly format
2) Your background is only one paragraph long
3) Your appearance is only one paragraph long
4) You don't even HAVE a Personality listed

As for Natural 20...well...

well what?  No offense, but if it needs work, i would sure like to know so i can make it better.  I'm a bit apprehensive about messing with your CS, but I felt i gave you a good idea of what m character is about.  You can mess with my background and throw plothooks at me if you wish, and i'll go with them to the best of my ability.

Either way, jut tell what i need to do to make it better...

EDIT: Okay! I'll add some stuff.

Yeah, I think that comment wasn't very constructive.    :knock:

P.S. I love that emoticon. ^_^

FYI, I might be making up some cities if I can't find any examples and also... my character sheet is in the format you gave me and I can make it no cooler than it is now.

Ciao!  

P.S. It's on the 2nd page in the middle. Jurukin is his name, Wixman is mine.

Quote from: Natural 20well what?  No offense, but if it needs work, i would sure like to know so i can make it better.  I'm a bit apprehensive about messing with your CS, but I felt i gave you a good idea of what m character is about.  You can mess with my background and throw plothooks at me if you wish, and i'll go with them to the best of my ability.

Either way, jut tell what i need to do to make it better...

Hey, hey, lay off. I was reading your submission again.

Well, your background is sparse. Be creative :-) I only work with what I'm given for character-specific plot hooks.

Also, your character's appearance is still highly questionable. It's lacking detail, and consists of only three sentences, one of which is a fragment.

Finally, you need to explain why your character is Chaotic Neutral.

That aside, there's not much that really makes me go "wow." Your character is essentially a typical gnoll...

You might want to put those Codes to use. I put them in so you could indent them with Microsoft Word and make tables.

I'm going to hide in the corner again, bye now...

Great! Look what you did now Senkon...   :hammer: