Restored Rule [D&D 3.5] (DM found, Applicants welcome!)

[TheFallenSon]

Is it possible that the usurper cousin is Lawful Evil? Wouldn't a Lawful Evil ruler in a Lawful Evil Kingdom be worthy of being overthrown. Justifcation being that the Kingdom is being run well because on the whole it's alignment has shifted away from that of a good society to an evil one. As long as people are making coin...even at the expense of thier slaves...the kingdom is doing fine. Two generations of large profit margins is enough to wipe a slate clean...or vice versa.

The Usurper would have had to make changes of some kind...they always do. Those changes might have made big huge ridiculous and culture altering waves or they could have been ripples in the moral pond that shifted the kingdom left or right of it's beginning.

[TechnoScrabble]

Originally Posted by ZeroNumerous

Oh, that's pretty cool. What abilities did you pick? I'm asking because I'm thinking of switching to fighter if the paladin homebrew is unacceptable, since playing a standard paladin would be hilariously bad.

I went for a shield specialized protection route, but if I get a chance to use my computer today (posting from a different one because one of the many petty ********s inhabiting my home ****ed with the internet for who knows why) I'll be able to finish and post my sheet, minus the bits I'm waiting on Cardea's answers for.

And guys, you're growing epileptic trees before Cardea's even planted the dyslexic seed.

[RCgothic]

I'm nearly done too. I can hardly believe the amount I've written on my phone. Not easy!

[TheFallenSon]

But the conversations are so much fun.

I guess I've been sitting on my thumbs to much if you all have crunch and fluff in the finalization stages....must get busy.

[Sodalite]

I suppose now would be a good time for me to remind that my background and character sheet are already posted. I believe they're both on page 2 of the thread.

Edit: Also, to technoscrabble, I would note that we aren't in need of players or a DM anymore, by my measure at least, so I imagine the title of thread can safely be changed.

[Cardea]

More world information has been posted. Apologies for delay.

Please try and keep talk and debates down... just a tad. I'm flattered people are all for this game, even before I wrote more things down, but it does make it difficult to read through the thread. Around post #109 to #115, it gets hard.

Grimsage Matt: Fire Mage is not approved. Neither is Kiloren.

Frank and K's material is powerful compared to standard material, and its that well thought out. I'm not one who generally approves of them. You did not submit a questionnaire with the request for VoP.

TechnoScrabble: You're about to meet the Heir.

... I'm quoting that dyslexic seed bit.

Also, if you would finish up your character's crunch and fluff soon... ish, it'd help me help others with their backgrounds. Not trying to be rude or rush, but just so its out there.

Morithias: Its still recruiting.

Jaelash:

1) Magic is known to be an uncommon thing. Its not everyday behavior, but for the most part, its not legend and myth.

2) Well, there's non-magical technology and magical technology. For non-magical, its... generic euro-somwhere dark times level, adding in things like aqueducts. For magical technology, its slowly being used to augment existing technologies, like purifying nice enough aqueducts and enchanting ballistas. Golems are rumors.

3) Good question. I'm considering just allowing them to use up to their character level in Reserve Points to what they roll for their Craft Roll (Chosen after rolling to be nice), or allowing them to diminish the gold cost they have to pay for crafting. Its still up in the air, but I'll make sure they aren't just scrapped if I can.

4) Erhm. Depends on what we decide on 3.

No; I prefer not to deal with Character Creation PMs unless I start them myself.

TaiLiu: For aging, it'd depend on what you had in mind.

SodaLite: Will look over sheet later.

Roc Ness: I'm unsure on Saph's Teleport Class, to be honest. I like Saph's stuff usually, but in this kind of game, I'm hesitant on homebrew, and with a class that deals heavily with teleportation, in a game where I'm putting a heavy focus on travelling times...

There's just that level of hesitation, yeah?

This is without taking into account Displacer Field, the higher level abilities or the associated feats.

But you're open with what this can do, and you make me highly aware of the risks, so I'm going to say yes, if we can work out some things to limit this in some way.

Agreed?

RCGothic: I'm not going to allow you to buy anything with the Magebred template, unfortunately. The world ain't ready for that yet. (To be honest, neither are we in the real world. The internet would collapse.)

But finish up your character aside from the dog tricks, and I'll let you roll some Handle Animal checks up to a certain span of time to teach it things, m'kay?

ZeroNumerous: Your username reminds me of this Billy guy I used to watch on the tv.

Yet Another Paladin Fix is not approved; I'm going to be honest for a second, however, and say that most homebrew Paladin fixes won't be approved. But I'd let you change up normal Paladin to suit your needs, starting with you being able to be Neutral Good.

PersonMan: ... okay, I'll bite. Why do you want magical blood sand?

Sodalites: I'd prefer it if the thread was kept open for a few more days. There are always latecomers.

[Jaelesh]

Originally Posted by Cardea

Jaelash:

1) Magic is known to be an uncommon thing. Its not everyday behavior, but for the most part, its not legend and myth.

2) Well, there's non-magical technology and magical technology. For non-magical, its... generic euro-somwhere dark times level, adding in things like aqueducts. For magical technology, its slowly being used to augment existing technologies, like purifying nice enough aqueducts and enchanting ballistas. Golems are rumors.

3) Good question. I'm considering just allowing them to use up to their character level in Reserve Points to what they roll for their Craft Roll (Chosen after rolling to be nice), or allowing them to diminish the gold cost they have to pay for crafting. Its still up in the air, but I'll make sure they aren't just scrapped if I can.

4) Erhm. Depends on what we decide on 3.

No; I prefer not to deal with Character Creation PMs unless I start them myself.

1) Ok, good enough for me.

2) That puts a damper on things, specifically my craft homunculus class ability and the fact that craft construct is pretty much the only artificer bonus feat that I can take at this point that is actually useful.

3) Not sure if it is just me, but I can't seem to understand what you mean. Did you mean that I can use up to my level as a reduction in XP costs before converting it to craft points, or do you mean I can use up to my level in reserve to add to my crafting roll to speed up item creation?

4) Alrighty, so long as it is in consideration.

5) Well, considering I only wanted to pm you to talk about a homebrew template that my IRL DM and I created that turns you into a synthetic (living construct) creature, and that golems are just a rumor, that is a moot point I guess.

[Cardea]

Jaelesh:
2) Homunculus is something that is possible, but not common. As well, consider time spans, and how long it takes a normal caster to get to the point where they can craft golems.

3) Speed up.

[TaiLiu]

Originally Posted by Cardea

More world information has been posted. Apologies for delay.

Please try and keep talk and debates down... just a tad. I'm flattered people are all for this game, even before I wrote more things down, but it does make it difficult to read through the thread. Around post #109 to #115, it gets hard.

TaiLiu: For aging, it'd depend on what you had in mind.

Well, the fluff I have planned involves the character being a tutor for the Autem Royal Family (Hence the large quantity of trained Knowledge). However, the current king overthrew the previous one sixty-one years ago; my character is logically older than that. I was thinking of my character starting her teaching around the age of twenty and end around a goodly amount of time- say, ten years. As such, my character is around ninety years old right now.

If you choose not to accept this over-aged women, do you accept the Necropolitan template? If not, maybe I'll make an elf or something...

SodaLite: Will look over sheet later.

Roc Ness: I'm unsure on Saph's Teleport Class, to be honest. I like Saph's stuff usually, but in this kind of game, I'm hesitant on homebrew, and with a class that deals heavily with teleportation, in a game where I'm putting a heavy focus on travelling times...

Huh. Should I get rid of my scroll of Teleport?

There's just that level of hesitation, yeah?

This is without taking into account Displacer Field, the higher level abilities or the associated feats.

But you're open with what this can do, and you make me highly aware of the risks, so I'm going to say yes, if we can work out some things to limit this in some way.

Agreed?

How odd- it seems that comments inside quotes don't count toward the post character count...

[Cardea]

TaiLiu: I really do like the idea, but... yeah, a ninety-year-old woman wouldn't cut it. Fifty to sixty, sure, but ninety is a bit out there for a human. If you go elf, though, feel free.

As for the scroll, yes, please remove it post-haste.

Teleport spells themselves are going to be dealt with.

[Jaelesh]

Well, seeing as how I was planning to be a puppeteer artificer or a self enhancement warforged iron man thingy, I guess I will request a backup plan.

Homebrew Mind Bender base class

Spoiler

- Why do you want it?
I like the concept of the class, and since it matches my general play style and seems like it would fit well considering the situation in the campaign, it might be fun to try out.
- What does it do that can’t be done by an existing class?
Well, it's not like a wizard can't do the same thing (or anything else for that matter), but as far as I can tell, no other classes have the same combination of abilities going for it without a lot of multiclassing and magic item support.
- What reason would I as a DM have to not allow it? What do you see as the most powerful ability / most potent synergy with other material?
Well, I am not to sure about what a DM might have issues with seeing as how I am a horrible DM in general, but I would guess that it's ability to get information and screw with enemies without them knowing may be it's biggest ability. I see the command and the cloud the mind abilities as being the best overall, and when you combine the sheer range they can get with their telepathy and mind reading, it can make interrogation rather easy ("Hey, think about where your secret base is!")

This doesn't mean I have given up on artificer, but I think I should keep my options open.

Edit: Oh, and would the primordial giant template on a half-giant be an acceptable race? I like the idea of a 8 foot tall dude running away from close combat to either making magic items or, well, mentally assault people. And, on that particular note, I am not sure if you have already answered it, but do you allow LA buy off, and if so, could I drop XP pregame to do so?

[Grimsage Matt]

As the Kiloren from Races of the wild did not get I'm, not sure if the next one will.

Raptorean (Races of the Wild)

Edit; Never mind abou Druid. Raptorans get nice Cleric substitiun levels. So Cleric 6, with the 1st and 3rd levels with the racial sub. Level 7 will be the final racial sub, and starting at 8th is the Skypledged PrC.

[Oh My God]

Bravo on the new setting material. Seems to nicely answer most of the motivation questions that we raised. The Shackles puts me in mind of Dishonored, but given that I've been playing it too much, most things seem to. Also, it'll be difficult for me not to be mentally calling King Callance " Prince Humperdink" in my head.

I'm re-writing Mattias Blackhands, a less than savory ranger *** assassin who was a member of the last iteration of this game. I should have his write-up and custom requests done tonight. I won't worry about any of the mechanics until that's sorted.

Edit: That's an... amusing thing for the filter to catch. It would be the missing word in," magna *** laude".

[Grimsage Matt]

Just have a slight question. If say, our characters don't want to keep any wealth on them besides their weapons armor, holy symbol and survival gear, could we invent in renting out Livestock?

After all, a OX is 15g, a cow is 10g. So why not "rent" out the livestock to villages? Basicly, they have the animals, but I own them. They use the animals, and in the case of Oxen, use them for fields, cows for milk, goats for milk and wool, sheep for wool.

In exchange for the animals (X gp basicly) they'd owe me... lets say 10% intrest per game year? Which they know I'll reinvest into the herds and improving the village.

And ya, it would make a me a Fuedal Cattle baron, like half the churches of the midevil era

Edit; And of me remaining 573gp,

500gp would go to cattle (10% per year- 50gp/1gp per cow)
30gp would go to oxen (10% per year- 3gp/1.5 per ox)
30gp would go to sheep (10% per year- 3gp/0.2 per sheep)
13gp would go to goats (10% per year- 1.3/0.1 per goat)

total would be 53.3 gp per year. Aye, tis small, but the benifits to a village over the long haul? Quite good really.

[Jaelesh]

@Grimsage Matt
Hmm, if that works, I might decide to go in with you on that. Only, not just setting up a cattle rental service, might as well go the whole nine yards and buy out businesses to collect rent, build hospitals/schools/libraries to charge usage, purchase land to lease out like landlords for profit. Maybe even get into the seedier side of business and politics and start some... questionable but not quite illegal or evil resource management services (read as narcotics, prostitution, protection rackets, slavery/serfdom depending on what the kingdom has as a legal system, etc).
Then we funnel the money we gain from our services to fund pet projects like stronghold construction, boosting the economy, dealing with outside forces, and so on and so forth.
Edit: Lets conquer the country via economic and political pressure. If we OWN most of the land, and most of the people are dependent upon us for basic survival and services, we don't need to start a civil war, we just need to push the issue.

[Grimsage Matt]

Reason I did it is because I'm a NG cleric of a Strom god that perfers to live with not a ton of gear, and I didn't want to destroy/give away the leftover gold. So I thought, heck, why not use it in a manner like a lot of chruch folk at the time? Then use it to help build up the place.

It's the small things that count.

Edit; Heres the WIP sheet (As in need to do spells) of Kethsar, or Windseeker, a worshiper of the Raptoran god of storms.

[Jaelesh]

Mehh, you want to help the people, which is a good a reason as any. I want to make a profit off of the people to fund a bloodless (hopefully) revolution and to consolidate wealth and power. The people still get help, I get profit, and the country get a big economic boost as well as probably a much stronger defensive power.

[Grimsage Matt]

Ya, plus, beyond a few things, my guy is not very into meteralistic things. Heck, Vow of Poverty minus alginment restrictions would have let my Fire mage be free of mertialisic things.

All my storm cleric needs? His wings, his tent, his spear and armor. Why have more?

[ZeroNumerous]

Originally Posted by Cardea

Yet Another Paladin Fix is not approved; I'm going to be honest for a second, however, and say that most homebrew Paladin fixes won't be approved. But I'd let you change up normal Paladin to suit your needs, starting with you being able to be Neutral Good.

It's not worth it. Fixed Fighter is objectively stronger and more useful in every way than Core Paladin, so I'll just go with that instead of trying to be a paladin. If I attempted to fix it, then I'd have to rehaul the entire thing to fit in with fixed Rogue/Fighter and like you said: Most homebrew paladin fixes won't be approved, so I won't harbor illusions that my own would be.

[rypt]

As part of my concept, I'd like to create some sort of institution or order revolving around magic. I imagine it being an originally independent entity, established on the basis of neutrality, and removed, by design, from the nation's politics (perhaps a group charged with protecting arcane secrets, akin to the Olin Gisir?)

Obviously, I have to details to iron out, but anyway, I'm imagining that King Callance I, in his efforts to develop a cure for Shackles, would have requisitioned members of this institution to conduct research. This research, although well-intentioned, would have involved all manner of unpleasant human testing and experimentation that my character would have viewed as a perversion of the institution's legacy and a betrayal of its founding principles, thereby prompting him (and likely others) to leave.

In the years that have passed since my character left, this institution would have been slowly absorbed by Callance II's government, to the point that it is now an official agency of the state. My character now worries how Callance II will use the knowledge and power afforded him by its remaining members.

Does this sound like something that could work?

[RCgothic]

Originally Posted by Cardea

RCGothic: I'm not going to allow you to buy anything with the Magebred template, unfortunately. The world ain't ready for that yet. (To be honest, neither are we in the real world. The internet would collapse.)

But finish up your character aside from the dog tricks, and I'll let you roll some Handle Animal checks up to a certain span of time to teach it things.

Ok, but as a sorcerer with a maxed cc Handle Animal (for fluff), I'm only +7 modifier.

I was planning for Lilian to run off with one of her parents' dogs - as expert/commoner 5 non-elite shepherds with maxed Handle Animal, Animal Affinity, Skill Focus Handle Animal they probably have modifiers of +14 each before masterwork tools of dog-training or aid-other from the 3-4 other lesser shepherds in the household. It'd be a well trained dog - useful if the party ever need to herd sheep!

I was also thinking that Lilian wouldn't start with 14000gp of kit, but the money would be part of a dowry that she'd steal/be gifted shortly before/after the start of the game.

[RCgothic]

@ rypt -

I'd been trying to think of a way to work a powerful sorcerous individual into the king's inner circle! Was hoping to have a daughter vs great-grandfather showdown at some point! He'd probably be mid-80s, but that would probably only make him more powerful still.

[ZeroNumerous]

Here's Nathaniel's things, completed in both fluff and crunch: Link to post #109.

I dropped the bits about being a paladin or magical. Instead, he's a competent bow-user and huntsman. I also used his "money" as a pseudo-inheritance from his grandmother.

To clarify(and to make sure I got this right) his family history goes like this: Grandfather(Knight-turned-Blacksmith) + Grandmother(Princess Cicily) = His Father(Matthew) + His Mother(Innkeeper) = Nathaniel. And what about the servants that made up the initial Lily family?

[Narmoth]

Hm... looks good. I want to play a noble that is willing to lend aid to the heir, in return for certain benefits when the heir ascends to the throne.
I will play LE, but have a certain loyalty to the group as a whole, and the heir.
He has a personal ill will towards the king, and has therefore no incentive to betray the heir to the current king.

Will this work?

[ZeroNumerous]

Originally Posted by Narmoth

Hm... looks good. I want to play a noble that is willing to lend aid to the heir, in return for certain benefits when the heir ascends to the throne.

Why does he have to be evil in order to do that? Wouldn't LN work just as well, but without the "I'm oppressing mah peasants" bit that's likely the impetus behind the heir overthrowing the current king?

[PersonMan]

Originally Posted by Cardea

PersonMan: ... okay, I'll bite. Why do you want magical blood sand?

As a fluff theme to build my magic/visuals around, primarily. Unlike I often do, I haven't come into this game looking to play a specific character and the Red Sand theme is one I've enjoyed playing before, in an altered form. So I thought I'd use it here as a theme for the character to 'lean' their backstory, etc. on. I mean, just answering 'how' 'why' and 'what effects does using the Red Sand have on her life?' is already a good amount of work into making a character "from scratch" (something I'm not all that good at, hence looking for something to build them around).

[Narmoth]

Originally Posted by ZeroNumerous

Why does he have to be evil in order to do that? Wouldn't LN work just as well, but without the "I'm oppressing mah peasants" bit that's likely the impetus behind the heir overthrowing the current king?

Because I want him to be LE and that is enough for me.
Besides, LN and LE can equally oppress the peasants or equally not do it.
It's more how far you are willing to go, not necessary what you currently are doing.

[Roc Ness]

Originally Posted by Cardea

Roc Ness: I'm unsure on Saph's Teleport Class, to be honest. I like Saph's stuff usually, but in this kind of game, I'm hesitant on homebrew, and with a class that deals heavily with teleportation, in a game where I'm putting a heavy focus on travelling times...

There's just that level of hesitation, yeah?

This is without taking into account Displacer Field, the higher level abilities or the associated feats.

But you're open with what this can do, and you make me highly aware of the risks, so I'm going to say yes, if we can work out some things to limit this in some way.

Agreed?

Yeah, that's easily agreeable.

And thanks for the trust! I'll try to err on the side of cautious.

[Grimsage Matt]

Have some homebrew requests for my cleric.

Lose; Medium armor proficency, Turn Undead, Spontaneous cure, Any Martial Weapons proficencys, Knowledge(Arcana).

Gain; 6+Int mod Skill points per level, Knowledge(Nature), Survival, Listen spot, Hide, move silently, Wild Empathy.

Questionaire;

Spoiler

So, Why do I want it?

Spoiler

My cleric is not some church priest. He's a outdoorsman. He didn't focus on the armor and weapons besides the simple ones, and the easiest to wear. He loses possible Divine metamatics, but so what? Instead, he's a lot more comfortable in the wilds.

What does it do that can’t be done by an existing class?

Spoiler

Well, it weakens my Cleric a bit. And it lets him be a bit more like another divine class that holds a big place in Raptoran life, the druid, without gaining of the power.

What reason would I as a DM have to not allow it? What do you see as the most powerful ability / most potent synergy with other material?

Spoiler

Simple enough. It nerfs the cleric and enhances it's naturalistic skills. Heck, I lose one of the Clerics greatest class features, the remains of the armor prof, the spontaneous healing, and for what? Wild empathy and a more druidic skill set plus enhanced skills per level. Weakens me cruchwise, but makes for nice fluff.

[TechnoScrabble]

Sorry I'm taking so long, guys. I would've had a sheet a few days ago but my flat's internet is still bum-diddlied and my work computer has a watchguard on mythweavers. I'll see if I can't find an unlocked wifi spot near my house to use and get it up tonight.

EDIT: I have to agree with oh-num'rous on prefering not to work with evil chaps. I certainly have no control over anyone, but I don't expect evil will do too well at surviving within arm's reach of Magnus once his shield feat tree is filled out all the way.

As far as combat goes, my end-game plan for Magnus Edgewater is bodyguard Captain America with a sword. His shield will be doing more damage and heir-protecting than Magnus-protecting.

Also, I can swat arrows out of the air with my sword. Hells yeah.

EDITEDIT: Also, in the area of plans for character development, it's safe to assume that Magnus will form goals aside from 'Protect the Heir' and 'Beat the crap out of anything threatening' despite his efforts not to. The Edgewaters raise a kid to be insanely loyal to the true royals, yes, but then they also raise the kid to be quick thinking and a good person and then send the kid out to do quests and whatnot until he's proved himself. It's bound to happen that other people's morals and ideas would eventually get into his head.

"A man's code defines who he is and why he fights, but sometimes...sometimes it must be the man who defines the code."