Secrets of the Silver Spire (OOC REDUX)

[Sthalor]

Welcome to the (hopefully) epic fantasy, The Secrets of the Silver Spire! I hope everyone is as excited about this as I am. I'm looking to get things started by next Wednesday, so let's get those character sheets finalized, as well as working out any kinks in your background, and maybe working it out so some characters know each other. I'll be contacting each of you to give you the necessary details (names, geographical locations, etc), and general posting rules will be going up within the next couple of days. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them, and let me know when you're finalized your character sheet so I can look it over and talk to you about it, if necessary. If you have any requests to be made about your character in my world, please do not hesitate to make them. I will do my best to work them in.

Other than that, welcome! Get to know each other and each other's characters!


Introduction

Spoiler

The grand Metropolis of Angara. A beacon of hope. The shining light of the kingdom of Aurellia. Long have the walls of this magnificent city stood, the stone scarred and burned from countless wars. Inside these walls, a giant spiraling city culminating in a great silver tower at the centre greets you. Anything can be found here; from a gladiatorial arena for those looking for entertainment or perhaps quick coin, to the Arcane University, the highest place of magical education known to man. And yet the reason you find yourself in this city at this time is for the Carnivale, the festival held once a decade in celebration of Angara's victorious contribution in the War of Eternity.

"What is the War of Eternity?" A question that would gain you either a mocking laugh or a concerned look in this world, as the War of Eternity was a worldwide event that rocked the Material Plane and beyond. This war spanned decades, beginning when an unknown force began to grow, bringing with it an awful and seemingly infinite force of horrible creatures. Most thought of it as the Shadow Plane, or perhaps the even more sinister Negative Plane, had somehow begun to force its energy between the fibres of the planes. But when travel to those planes yielded the same budding, pulsating growth of disgusting energy, that theory was dashed. Some thought of it as the Gods’ warring, their residual power leaking onto the other planes of existence. But not even the Gods themselves were immune to this cancerous growth, their domains crawling with the same awful disease. Despite the many myths and legends that surrounded this mysterious force, no true answer came to fruition. And yet, at the center of it all, stood Angara, a city constructed a decade before the war began, so the story goes. They held the walls, the citizens putting aside all differences in a combined understanding of survival.

It was not until the greatest mages of the land came together in Angara, desperate to make a final stand. By then, Angara had become a refuge for any and all that could make it far enough to reach its walls. Through endless scrying and research, they came to the conclusion that this power could not be simply defeated. However, one man came forward with what would hopefully be a practical solution – not defeating the power, but containing it. This man, Morgul Dixon, a human wizard, proposed that they build a tower of the finest minerals and highest grade magical components to do just this. And thus, the Silver Spire was constructed. The mages then began a ritual to siphon the power into the orb at the top of the Spire. As the ritual progressed, it became clear that none of the magic users would survive this ritual. As they passed away one at a time, the tumours began to recede, and the waves of monsters became less frequent and brutal. Finally, after the ritual had gone on for nearly a month, each of the mages lay dead, and the Silver Spire pulsed with power. The creatures were gone, as was the force that allowed them passage into the planes. And so it stands in the center of Angara, its looming figure ever present, even to this day.

But those are just stories. The Silver Spire still exists, its ancient purpose long forgotten and lost to time. Many citizens simply view it as an old piece of architecture, standing as a metaphor or some symbol of the darkness of the mortal heart. And yet, Carnivale is still held every year. People come from all over the continent to attend the festivities. Drink, dance, parade, songs, the city truly comes alive during Carnivale, and it is truly a time of celebration.

The Big Sixteen

Spoiler

1. What game system are you running?
-Pathfinder

2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be? What is the setting for the game?
-A plot-based semi-sandbox game. The characters will have an ultimate goal, but different ways of going about it and different steps to get there.

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
-No more than five players with a couple of alternates just in case some people flake.

4. What's the gaming medium?
-PbP here, on the GitP forums.

5. What is the characters' starting status?
-Second level, first level HP is maxed, roll in the forum for second level. If your roll sucks, you can take the average for your hit die. (Ex. Roll 1d10, get a 2 result, take a 5 instead.)

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
-Basic starting gold as described in PHB, which is 1000 GP for 2nd level characters.

7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
-No home brewed classes without my approval. Everything on the Pathfinder SRD is fair game, except for psionics. Any third party material must be approved. Characters get two traits, but third party traits are banned.

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
-Anything on the SRD and Ironborn, with some limitations on the latter. Third party sources must be approved.

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
-Use a 30 point buy system as described in the PHB. This may be high, but if this campaign goes on long enough it will become an epic-fanatasy campaign. I'll be throwing a lot at the characters, and high stats will be important. Medium XP track.

10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
-Any non-evil. I'd prefer if you avoided Chaotic Neutral as an alignment, as motivation for a quest is difficult without money or personal gain. Running a campaign full of CN characters is also very frustrating.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
-Usual rules for multi-classing, but don't go overboard. I retain the right to veto.

12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
-There will be a die rolling thread in the appropriate forum for the game. All rolls I need done I will do in the forum, but the ones that stay private will be done beforehand and be unnamed. Players making rolls will post a small description of the roll on their post in the die rolling thread and incorporate their results into their post. I will let players know of necessary DCs for rolls. Players can also make rolls before their posts if necessary (ex. Knowledge checks) and I will provide the information before they post.

13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
-N/A

14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular?
-Background is definitely required. Write whatever you want while keeping the geography vague so I can fit it into the setting I have created. If you need to have something specific for the idea you have, send me a PM and we can work something out. I have no problem tweaking a few things for a good character. You character will also be attending an enormous festival at an immense city, so come up with a reason for their being there. It can be anything from you want to be there for the festivities to a rogue being there to cut purses.

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
-It will have a good amount of hack and slash, but also a decent amount of politics and puzzle solving.

16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
-Anything on the Pathfinder SRD, but as I've said, third party sources must be approved by me first via private message.

Skill Challenge Rules

Spoiler

1. You'll make two rollls in this thread. They will be two different skills, but they can be any skills you want.
2. There will be two DCs you can make. An Easy DC (EDC), or a Hard DC (HDC). If you roll above the HDC, then you earn double experience points. If you roll above the EDC, but below the HDC, you earn the normal amount of experience. If you roll below the EDC, you get no experience.
3. You make a post IC about how you use these skills to help out in the situation. It can be anything from casting a spell (Kn: Arcana) to calming people down (Diplomacy) to just plain getting out of the way (Acrobatics). If you fail the EDC, then you must incorporate your character's failure into your post.
4. The experience points are still shared through out the whole party. Giving your friend (or yourself) a Guidance spell or some equivalent might not be a bad idea if you want to give them (or yourself) a hand.
5. If you have ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, do not hesitate to ask them!

Player	Character	Class	Race	Background
Chained Birds	Maple Leafsinger	Paladin, Warrior of the Holy Light	Halfling	Check!
SamBurke	Arman Hosef	Artificer	Elf	Check!
MasterofFates	Darik Auros	Magus	Elf	----
Morbis Meh	Felix Renauve	Rogue, Scout	Half Elf	Check!

[SamBurke]

"Hello... the name's Arman. Arman Hosef. If I hate you, you will die painfully and inventively. If I am your friend, I will protect you with the full might of my skill. What is that skill, you ask? That skill is genius. Raw genius. I make things: magical things, mechanical things, it doesn't matter. I create new ways to use things. I can make you a scope, I can make you wings, I can make you the most powerful crossbow ever designed.

"Right now, though, I've got a secondary job. I need to find someone... two someones... who are very close to me. I could use a little help, I suppose. If the work's good, and I can travel, I'll take nearly any job. Or, even if there's no travel, a solid lead is all I need. So.

"You know I can help you. Question is, can you help me?"

Well, there's a character introduction! Hope that helps. I'm Burgundy, btw.

[Morbis Meh]

"Good day all you fine (and hopefully rich) people! I go by the name of Felix but the ladies have a different name for me... Anyways, I am the ever curious rogue, though I may get into a spot of trouble from time to time I swear on my mother's grave it is all in the name of good. I am more than willing to get down and dirty and have no qualms with doing shadier work as long as the cause is right! I like to think of myself as the peoples champion, helping the overlooked people of the slum survive day by day while cutting down the tyrannical nobility."

"Though I may not be a big man, it is a major mistake to cross me, I am quick with a blade and no exactly where the softest and most vulnerable places are to stick it."

"One day I dream of being able to establish a democracy in this lovely city one for the people ran by the people so they can flourish without the oppression of the useless upper class. I also would very much like to find my father and in turn remove a certain part of his anatomy then forcing it down his throat... but that merely is a dark thought of mine pay no heed.'

"Fellow adventurers you can trust me with your lives (as well as your purses... most of the time) and know that I am extremely useful in slipping out of tight situations. Ah good now that is said I think it is time for a brandy!"

There be my introduction I have selected green as my colour and I shall provide my background shortly

[Chained Birds]

"Detect Evil! Detect Evil!
...
...
...
Oh, I guess you guys aren't evil... Sorry guys but you all sounded pretty scary and Father Wisely always told me to be wary of people first to fully understand their hearts.
You all feel like good people and that puts a smile on my face."

"Oh? My name? I'm a Paladin of her Grace Sarenrae, and I go by the name Maple Leafsinger. I'm here to visit the final resting place of my ancestor officially, but I really just wanted to have fun at this really amazing party I've heard so much about. I hope we can be great friends!"

That's Maple. I chose Navy for her.

Oh, and here's some theme music: Maple's Theme

[SamBurke]

LOLZES. I can't help but think of Pinkie Pie right there.

That, Chained, is a funny image.

[Morbis Meh]

Please tell my you folks aren't Bronies.... my faith in humanity is dwindling lol

[SamBurke]

Originally Posted by Morbis Meh

Please tell my you folks aren't Bronies.... my faith in humanity is dwindling lol

Don't think he is; I fully am . Sorry 'bout that. But, you know, what's wrong with my choice of shows? It's not an immature show, it's not a crude show, it's not a gory show, it's not a poorly written/animated/sung/created show, it's also not a girly show. So, in that sense, it makes the liking of the show better than around 80% of most fan bases (I'm looking at you, Trekkies and SW EU Fans). Yeah, it's made originally to sell to little girls. But, as Walt Disney Said,

Originally Posted by Walt Disney

"Your dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."

I'm cool with you not liking, it though. Makes no difference to me; I love MLP FiM, and I'm sure you would too, but I force nothing on anyone.

With that, I need to finish watching this week's new Episode. I Love Lucy references! Yay!

[Morbis Meh]

A lot of my friends are bronies and I have watched the first couple episodes, so i did give it a chance. It wasn't to my liking and I am definitely not against cute shows (one of my favourite animes is Azumanga Daoih... it's tied Higarashi and yes they are odd choices lol). I bear no ill will towards you for liking the show I just personally hate shows with singing in it lol not to mention the overly friendship and love theme is rather over the top and sickening to me. I like dark comedy, I enjoy more realistic shows and that doesn't mean violence but the big factor is I hate ponies..... I had a very traumatizing experience as a child (just kidding).

[SamBurke]

Originally Posted by Morbis Meh

A lot of my friends are bronies and I have watched the first couple episodes, so i did give it a chance. It wasn't to my liking and I am definitely not against cute shows (one of my favourite animes is Azumanga Daoih... it's tied Higarashi and yes they are odd choices lol). I bear no ill will towards you for liking the show I just personally hate shows with singing in it lol not to mention the overly friendship and love theme is rather over the top and sickening to me. I like dark comedy, I enjoy more realistic shows and that doesn't mean violence but the big factor is I hate ponies..... I had a very traumatizing experience as a child (just kidding).

You have made me laugh. Have a cookie. Ah, cool, then. Haven't watched much anime, personally, but I do understand a hatred of the songs. They tend to grow on you, though I've heard some pretty sweet rock renditions.

[Chained Birds]

Not a brony, but also don't hate the series either. One of my friends uses the show to get some sleep because he finds the lack of conflict to be very boring. I thought it was a nice series.

Azumanga Daioh was a good series. I here a new series called Nichijou is very similar to Azumanga and look forward to watching the series. The opening makes the series look promising at the very least.

So, is there an IC to this game yet?

[MasterofFates]

Let's get a big "hailoo!" for me, MasterofFates (I'd tell you my real name, but frankly, I don't trust anyone. >.>) I play Darik Auros, a magus with a penchant for knowledge and adventure! I'm looking forward to getting this underway, and will post my background ASAP. My color, by the by, will be Rrrrrrrroyal Bluuuuuue!

[SamBurke]

Originally Posted by Chained Birds

Not a brony, but also don't hate the series either. One of my friends uses the show to get some sleep because he finds the lack of conflict to be very boring. I thought it was a nice series.

Never heard anyone use it that way... Totally disagree with your friend, but it's amusing nonetheless.

[MasterofFates]

Ah, hello, my fine fellows, it truly is a pleasure. The name's Darik Auros, and I've been called away from my studies to undergo this interview-- I therefore would like to keep this brief.

I'm something of a misfit intellectual, I suppose. I never had the money to learn in the traditional sense, and really, I haven't the time for such things; for this reason, I chose to learn by experience, though I do still enjoy spending time in a well-stocked library from time to time.

Fighting, you ask? Yes, I've always had a habit of getting myself into sticky situations, and it seems that cutting through that which binds me, as such, is the most efficient solution. I hardly revel in combat, but I certainly appreciate honing my skills. Magic, too, has always fascinated me, and I felt that blending the two would be a much more enjoyable way to spend my time than learning the crafts of sorcery and swordplay separately.

I generally consider myself to be a moral person. Though I'm hardly a hero, I do my best improve the lives of those who live in poverty, as I once did so very long ago, wherever my journeys take me.

[Sthalor]

MasterofFates, I just need your 10 Minute Background before we get started.

[Sthalor]

The brand spankin' new IC THREAD is up and running! Please go and post your introduction post. This will detail your character arriving in Angara, essentially going through what is described in the main post. Your characters should then occupy themselves until they hear the clock strike midnight. Don't restrict yourself on what you think might not be in this city - Angara is a metropolis, so it has everything. You just need to know the right people.

[SamBurke]

AOK, done. Post the first is up.

[Chained Birds]

Stahlor and SamBurke might see something familiar about my IC post.

[SamBurke]

I considered using the same one, but didn't. I have no idea why... I'm random that way.

[Sthalor]

DM POST COMING LATER TONIGHT!

[Chained Birds]

Yeh! Continuation to where we left off the first time.

[Morbis Meh]

lol sounds like you guys didn't get very far the first time

[SamBurke]

Originally Posted by Morbis Meh

lol sounds like you guys didn't get very far the first time

What you see is what we wrote.

[Sthalor]

Post is finally up guys! Sorry that took so long! D: Things were a bit more hectic these past couple of days than I expected. Throwing a party at your parents' place takes a lot more clean up that I expected I mean what party.

[Morbis Meh]

Lol no worries and I know from experience that parties really suck to clean up after. Hope you gad a good time!

[Sthalor]

This post is important! Please read it!

Anyone who has played 4e knows what's coming next. It's a SKILL CHALLENGE! Here's how this one is going to work.

1. You'll make two rollls in this thread. They will be two different skills, but they can be any skills you want.
2. There will be two DCs you can make. An Easy DC (EDC), or a Hard DC (HDC). If you roll above the HDC, then you earn double experience points. If you roll above the EDC, but below the HDC, you earn the normal amount of experience. If you roll below the EDC, you get no experience.
3. You make a post IC about how you use these skills to help out in the situation. It can be anything from casting a spell (Kn: Arcana) to calming people down (Diplomacy) to just plain getting out of the way (Acrobatics). If you fail the EDC, then you must incorporate your character's failure into your post.
4. The experience points are still shared through out the whole party. Giving your friend (or yourself) a Guidance spell or some equivalent might not be a bad idea if you want to give them (or yourself) a hand.
5. If you have ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, do not hesitate to ask them! I will clarify anything! I will also be putting this up in the OP for easy reference for the future.

Please give me feedback on this system! You guys are kinda my guinea pigs for this. >:D

The EDC for this skill challenge is 16.
The HDC for this skill challenge is 22.

[Chained Birds]

Bluff Check: (1d20+8)[17]
Diplomacy Check: (1d20+8)[23]

[Morbis Meh]

Whoops... I rolled I am the IC thread... if that isn't alright I will reroll here and adjust my post accordingly
Perception (1d20+9)[23]
Disable Device (1d20+11)[16]

[MasterofFates]

Normal Perception Check: (1d20+6)[19]
Hard Knowledge (arcana) check: (1d20+11)[30]

IC post coming up.

[Chained Birds]

Hmm, we all did good so probability dictates that Sam will fail his rolls; or at the very least 1 of them.

[Morbis Meh]

Originally Posted by Chained Birds

Hmm, we all did good so probability dictates that Sam will fail his rolls; or at the very least 1 of them.

I say we curb this possible outcome by appeasing the dice gods, we must sacrifice 5 chickens, 3 goats and a single bull!