OOC Chatter and Brainstorming

[dna1]

Go ahead and continue working on your builds here.

[dna1]

Here is a brief run down of the setting. I/We plan to type up some more indepth stuff shortly. But this way you can start thinking about some of the things we will be doing.

It's sort of like a cross between Lord of the Rings during the age of shadow when Sauron was making everyone his bitch and Forgotten Realms.The main bad guy is a Dark god who's the illegitimate lovechild of Sauron and the Lich King.. in personality basically, also magic is outlawed unless it's in use by the servants of that god, the 'good guys' are all an underground resistance movement scattered across the continents.

Normally magic is controlled and maintained by the god/goddess of magic right? Well in this world all the gods except this land-locked psychopath have been exiled from the world. So magic has no one maintaining, controlling, or regulating it, it's basically like Wild Magic is except less random and more lethal. Since it's pure energy with no restraining mechanism that make sense?.
The difference in this though is that without the powers of the dark god buffering you, magic has to be channeled raw, meaning it burns the channelers hp. On the other hand it does mean the caster can overcharge spells by bleeding his own life into it.
So what I am thinking is, the only people who can use magic without killing them selves is the people who serve this Dark God, and the Elder Magi who serve him. Maybe there is a trinket or something they only get when they are certified.

The party is a group of people from the rebellion/resistence that have infiltrated the Magi. The Magi is a group of casters that work for the Dark God and control most the world. Unsanctioned use of magic is outlawed. Anyone known to be able to cast a spell is swept away to the Imperium, never to be seen again. The Magi use these people in various ways depending on there level of cooperation. By being the only group able to use magic they have kept a firm grip of control.
For more info on the starting area and background check the other thread. Once we type up something more detailed I will post it over there as well.


If you guys could post your most updated ideas for your build here that would be awesome. Im sure there will be some changes with the updated house rules as well 

[Flay Crimsonwind]

So, looks like my magic-blooded unseelie sandman is go! I considered the Boccob-touched template, but that seems a little extreme. What is everyone else, so that I can get a sense of what I should be aiming for. I there are a bunch of white-spawn dragonwrought kobolds, then my grey elf could really use a boost. I know someone has 5th level spells anyway, so it might be reasonable for me to grab that template for the stat and skill boost, which really only makes my normal-levelled spells more powerful (I mean, come on, I'm a friggin' focused illusionist! ). Would you consider that too much, Dna? The template looks like this:
[spoiler]Neutral
+4 Intelligence
+4 Charisma
+4 to all Knowledge and Decipher Script checks
Uncaring (Ex): You are immune to compulsions and any spells or effects that would change your alignment.
You gain Weapon Focus with the quarterstaff. If you have Weapon Focus from another source you instead gain Weapon Specialization with the quarterstaff.[/spoiler]
Good, but not really brokenly so, if people are starting with two-level-higher spell slots. And as his role model is the realm-equivalent boccob (strict true neutral, magic for magic's sake, no personal agenda, and little in the way of emotion), it fits thematically, though I'm not gonna lie about it's power boost for me.

And about the world; so, we work for the rebellion good guys as double agents, posing as members of the big-bad organization? Actually, that works out really well for me.  

[dna1]

Interesting, looks good to me. If Percival doesnt object its a go.

And about the world; so, we work for the rebellion good guys as double agents, posing as members of the big-bad organization? Actually, that works out really well for me. 

Yea, the party will be a very special part of the Imperium. You will be working directly under the Elder Magi, who serve directly under this 'dark god'. So the party will be part of a group of casters with great potential. This group will have been hand selected by the ElderMagi to potenially become the next line of Magi.
So all of your PC's will be from some part of the Imperium, which I will go into more detail on later. But think of them like the government, it has many branches.
The PC group is actually part of the rebellion, for along time they have been waiting for this opportunity to plant spies so deep undercover. This is the closest anyone has ever been to learning the secrets of how to restore the world and dispose of this mad lunatic god.
If you guys dont blow it 

[sirpercival]

I have some ideas that are a little more specific in terms of setup, I'll post them tomorrow.

[DrHorrible]

Ok my idea was: Abjurer 5 focused on crafting. Also, I wanted to make him afraid of the dark, reason that got him to make his Luminous Robe and got him to learn a good deal of light descriptor spells. Is that going to interfere with the bad guys cover?

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Ok my idea was: Abjurer 5 focused on crafting. Also, I wanted to make him afraid of the dark, reason that got him to make his Luminous Robe and got him to learn a good deal of light descriptor spells. Is that going to interfere with the bad guys cover?

Know your tropes.

[DrHorrible]

Ok my idea was: Abjurer 5 focused on crafting. Also, I wanted to make him afraid of the dark, reason that got him to make his Luminous Robe and got him to learn a good deal of light descriptor spells. Is that going to interfere with the bad guys cover?

Know your tropes.

Awesome, I really didn't want to drop the dark phobia.

Ah, I was thinking... We could post the spells we wanted to learn so that we don't all learn Mage Armor. We get one or two of us with a spell and then the others, if they need/want the spell, can copy it off their spellbooks. What do you think?

Here's mine:
[spoiler]1st:
Luminous Gaze (Dragon #322)
Alarm
Protection against Evil
Unseen Servant
Blockade
Shield
Grease
Bigby's Tripping Hand
Ebon Eyes
Feather Fall
Scholar's Touch
Repair Light Damage
Familiar Pocket

2nd:
See Invisibility
Rope Trick
Glitterdust
Dispelling Touch
Baleful Transposition
Alter Self
Resist Energy
Detect thoughts
Gaseous Form
Invisibility
Levitate

3rd:
Greater Alarm
Anticipate Teleportation
Disobedience
Dispel Magic
Dispel Shield
Shark Bolt 3 (Dragon #334)
Magic Circle Against Evil
Luminous Armor
Wall of Light
Drown*
Nondetection
Ray Deflection
Fly
Manyjaws
Slow
Icelance
[/spoiler]

[archangel.arcanis]

Working my character again now. I only have my base spells I get from leveling so my book is short right now. Still trying to figure out what to do with the either +1 LA or martial level. Contemplating putting it as a level of ranger so I can sure up my horrible ref & fort saves a little, plus it allows me to put some skill points elsewhere and put more into my item familiar.

I still have some money left so i'm guessing a lot of that will go to scrolls in order to expand my spellbook, even if I won't prepare a lot of them.

Oh Dr. Horrible I think you need to get the Dark Template for irony purposes.

PS. I can contribute xp for the item of spellcraft you made for me too. I took the 2k out of my treasure already, but let me know if you need xp (I get 10% extra from my item familiar so I actually have extra at the moment)

[sirpercival]

I've got mine almost done -- DrHorrible, can you build me a use-activated item of Nerveskitter?  I'll pay for it. 

[DrHorrible]

Working my character again now. I only have my base spells I get from leveling so my book is short right now. Still trying to figure out what to do with the either +1 LA or martial level. Contemplating putting it as a level of ranger so I can sure up my horrible ref & fort saves a little, plus it allows me to put some skill points elsewhere and put more into my item familiar.

I still have some money left so i'm guessing a lot of that will go to scrolls in order to expand my spellbook, even if I won't prepare a lot of them.

Oh Dr. Horrible I think you need to get the Dark Template for irony purposes.

PS. I can contribute xp for the item of spellcraft you made for me too. I took the 2k out of my treasure already, but let me know if you need xp (I get 10% extra from my item familiar so I actually have extra at the moment)

You know what? It's not a bad idea! Initially I was going to go simple Human, no templates, just because I couldn't find something I liked but this is not bad. I can already see my PC hiding in the shadows, gritting his teeth, sweating like a pig trying not to breakdown because of his phobia.

For the item there's no problem and if we can use your xp it would be great cause I'm already behind in experience 'cause of the item I crafted for myself (starting at 5th level  ).

I've got mine almost done -- DrHorrible, can you build me a use-activated item of Nerveskitter?  I'll pay for it. 

That would cost... 2000 gp & 80 xp.

I can cover the xp no problem if you want. I'm already at 5th level so now it doesn't really affect me that much.

[Mixster]

I CLAIM RED!

Also I lol'd when I read no damaging spells are allowed. Good I'm a sorcerer with Eschew Materials so they can't check my spellbook or my component pouch to find out what I'm casting.

My spells by the way:
[spoiler]Level 0 TBA
Level 1
Shield
Magic Missile
Level 2
Ray of Stupid
Seeking Ray
Scorching Ray
Web
Level 3
Dispel Magic
Explosive Runes
Manyjaws
Level 4
Wings of Flurry
Solid Fog
Level 5
Arcane Thesis[/spoiler]

Anyway, my AC, by happenstance, got to 29 before buffing and my HP to 37 (meaning they'll be the same when I buff up), So I guess I can serve a role as a Tank.

[DrHorrible]

Purple for me.

Also, for those who have magic items I crafted, their CL is treated as +1. For the ones I made so far it's not that relevant but, you know, I'm just sayin'.

And I'll go for the Dark template, so now I'm a Dark Human!

That doesn't really change my role or anything, but it was free and it's really cool rp-wise.

[archangel.arcanis]

I CLAIM RED!

Also I lol'd when I read no damaging spells are allowed. Good I'm a sorcerer with Eschew Materials so they can't check my spellbook or my component pouch to find out what I'm casting.

eyes the 3 prepared lesser sound orbs. "those are for self defense only, it is like pepperspray"  

[DrHorrible]

I CLAIM RED!

Also I lol'd when I read no damaging spells are allowed. Good I'm a sorcerer with Eschew Materials so they can't check my spellbook or my component pouch to find out what I'm casting.

eyes the 3 prepared lesser sound orbs. "those are for self defense only, it is like pepperspray"  

I use Manyjaws and Shark Bolt to keep me company when I'm alone in the dark.

 

[Mixster]

Guys, look at my spell-list, there are like three spells on there that are NOT for dealing damage.

You guys can be gods, I'm gonna bomb some shit.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

I'll be speaking in gray. It occurs to me I haven't said much about my charrie, so know that he is an incredibly well-trained, well-educated wizard, focused specialist in illusion (no evoc., abj., or enchantment for me) who is also very fond of divination. There is no field of knowledge for which he is not somewhat read, and he prefers to spy, know what's coming, and avoid accordingly. Think of him as a cold-war wizard, who is a lesser-mortal form of Boccob. I'll post more of the flavor soon, currently in a maps and spatial reasoning lab.

[dna1]

Working my character again now. I only have my base spells I get from leveling so my book is short right now. Still trying to figure out what to do with the either +1 LA or martial level. Contemplating putting it as a level of ranger so I can sure up my horrible ref & fort saves a little, plus it allows me to put some skill points elsewhere and put more into my item familiar.

I still have some money left so i'm guessing a lot of that will go to scrolls in order to expand my spellbook, even if I won't prepare a lot of them.

Oh Dr. Horrible I think you need to get the Dark Template for irony purposes.

PS. I can contribute xp for the item of spellcraft you made for me too. I took the 2k out of my treasure already, but let me know if you need xp (I get 10% extra from my item familiar so I actually have extra at the moment)

You know what? It's not a bad idea! Initially I was going to go simple Human, no templates, just because I couldn't find something I liked but this is not bad. I can already see my PC hiding in the shadows, gritting his teeth, sweating like a pig trying not to breakdown because of his phobia.

For the item there's no problem and if we can use your xp it would be great cause I'm already behind in experience 'cause of the item I crafted for myself (starting at 5th level  ).

I've got mine almost done -- DrHorrible, can you build me a use-activated item of Nerveskitter?  I'll pay for it.  

That would cost... 2000 gp & 80 xp.

I can cover the xp no problem if you want. I'm already at 5th level so now it doesn't really affect me that much.

Ya put that free LA to use  

I CLAIM RED!

Also I lol'd when I read no damaging spells are allowed. Good I'm a sorcerer with Eschew Materials so they can't check my spellbook or my component pouch to find out what I'm casting.

My spells by the way:
[spoiler]Level 0 TBA
Level 1
Shield
Magic Missile
Level 2
Ray of Stupid
Seeking Ray
Scorching Ray
Web
Level 3
Dispel Magic
Explosive Runes
Manyjaws
Level 4
Wings of Flurry
Solid Fog
Level 5
Arcane Thesis[/spoiler]

Anyway, my AC, by happenstance, got to 29 before buffing and my HP to 37 (meaning they'll be the same when I buff up), So I guess I can serve a role as a Tank.

Though illegal for the public, as Imperium soldiers you will have some slight leeway. The city watch is notoriously corrupt also, so there is always room for bribes 

I'll be speaking in gray. It occurs to me I haven't said much about my charrie, so know that he is an incredibly well-trained, well-educated wizard, focused specialist in illusion (no evoc., abj., or enchantment for me) who is also very fond of divination. There is no field of knowledge for which he is not somewhat read, and he prefers to spy, know what's coming, and avoid accordingly. Think of him as a cold-war wizard, who is a lesser-mortal form of Boccob. I'll post more of the flavor soon, currently in a maps and spatial reasoning lab.

That fits in with the story pretty well  


also as DM I claim GREEN for speach

[archangel.arcanis]

How would clerics be handled in this setting? I'm going to be a cleric of ideals, but I wanted her to be a former church cleric. My plan was to explain her having been in the Oty. Hole as a punishment from violating orders, due to harsh personality conflicts with her superior. After being released from the hole she basically flipped off the church and went to focus on studying magic.

also how are we doing our starting HP I didn't see it in the rules or initial thread.

[dna1]

Well any caster is by law supposed to be licensed, this goes for any magic even like a paladins eventual casting. So most churches are controlled by the Imperium.
Now this doesnt mean that all casters are Sanctioned. Virtually none of the rebels are, except the spies .  Alot of the members in the Delvers guild arent Licensed. People/Creatures with Regeneration/fast healing are known to make fearsome casters because they can overchannel spells(which il go into later). So even some Licensed casters dont use the sigil and just channel the magic raw for bigger out comes.
Now keep in mind that anyone caught casting an Illegal spell can suffer penalties. Those who are found to be casters and are not sanctioned by the Imperium will be promptly drafted. From there anything can happen, from being a slave to being drained of life energys, up to becoming next in line for a seat with the Elders.

The world is rather dark and corrupt. It is after all ruled by only one god currently, who is a land locked psycho path. So extreme and harsh consequences are frequent.

EDIT: Also I plan to post more pics as we go and as needed. I have a rather extensive library  .  But any feedback you guys have on what is selected so far would be appriciated