A new Idea for a game

[paddyfool]

Good stuff.  I'm renaming my chap Sir Rollo Whiskyfoot, and I think he's going to be a bit of a renaissance halfling, who sees himself as having something of a duty to protect this nascent age of reason.  And to better be able to do so, he's made a study of its greatest potential threats, ergo Dragons and Drakes.  Character sheet up in a few days, when I'm free and clear of a couple of scary deadlines.

[MilitiaJim]

The answer to all three is yes, but if you find yourself confronting a dragon, you've made a grave error somewhere along the line...

Yeah.  But I bet they're better with BBQ sauce than ketchup.

And I need a decent name...

[Antilles]

Gotten the bare basics of the saurian channeler done, now, have updated the previous post... all that remains is spell list, gear, and the little details like names and such. Oh, and of course, picking which one I'll ultimately play.

[MilitiaJim]

Are we starting out in the Steam Kingdoms?  What of the indigenous folk?  Smokey McSneakenstein needs a slightly more plausible name?

[Iprophet]

Yes.  The Steam Kingdoms are the geographic equivalent of North America, with the campaign beginning in California.  The Indigenous people of this side of the world are the elves, who worship various aspects of the Aether as gods, due to magics tendency to fluctuate in North and South America.  Due to the rapid expansion of the races fleeing their old masters, they have been pushed into South America.  Needless to say, some elves are quite bitter about this fact.  Most other races only have tales of their origins, the dragons have been around for quite some time.  As for humans, they lack an origin story, simply stating they are, and therefor they shall be.

[MilitiaJim]

Do you have Civilization V?  One thing the program can do is save a game map that you can open in the world editor.  If you've not plotted out your geography, the game engine can help.

So we are starting out in one of the medium sized cities on the west coast?  Or a smaller village?  We've all got some experience.

(Are the Saurians organized along tribal lines?  Or are those on this continent more into the Family/Town mold?)

[Iprophet]

In the Steam Kingdoms, Saurians tend to band together in the communities who tolerate them.  In the dragon kingdoms, they are divided by Clutch, with those who are Dragon-blooded at the top, and those from the Swamp and River at the bottom.

As for a map, I have a blank geographic map of Earth, with Numbers detailing a few cities that absolutely need to exist.  As for towns, you can give me a name, place on Earth, and brief description and I can fit it right in.

[Catodon]

Cut and past of a summary form I use to rough out characters before getting stuck in:

Species Unborn   Personality Trait Curious   Talent/Focus if any: N/A
   Physical Trait: Box body    
Sub-Species Machine    Personality Trait Enthusiasm   Gender N/A
   Physical Trait: Tool hand    
Alignment Nil    Method Investigates everything
   Value New Experiences
Culture ‘new born’   Affectation ‘plays’ with new things
   Inspiration 1 Mars rovers
   Inspiration 2 Moroccan Furniture
   Origin Skills 2 Crafting, Ride
   Mother-Tongue ‘Common’
Speciality Warden
Class Scout 3/Explorer 2
Motivation To explore and report back to his mysterious creators when called by them
Customising Its purpose is to serve its mysterious creators. Who are they and why did they leave it in the forest with only the command ‘explore record report’
Name never given a name but people tend to call it ‘the box’

[Catodon]

The Box
Full character sheet

(click to show/hide)

Unborn Warden Scout 3/Explorer 2
Never given a name but people tend to call it ‘the box’.

Physical Description
A rectangular box built of dark wood and decorated with embossed tin, glass tiles and carved geometric shapes. The bottom third of three wheels protrude from the bottom. The head looks like a squat lantern fixed to the centre of the top of the box. The box has an obvious storage compartment with a hinged lid. Affixed to three sides are articulated rods that serve as arms. Two arms have grippers, the third ends in a bulky ‘jack-knife’ of numerous tools.

Note: the storage compartment has no game effect, it replaces the usual pockets etc assumed for folk characters. The head is able to move along a cross shaped groove on the top of the box and part way down each side. The box has no waist or neck, the track enables it to look down. The ‘head’ can also swivel like a tank turret.
Height: 2’wide x2’high x4’long box. Raised 6” of the ground on wheels with a squat 4” high x 6” wide ‘head’
Eyes: blue glass lenses
Hair: nil. Decorated with embossed tin, glass tiles and carved geometric shapes
Personality and History
The Box’s first memory is of a deep voice in the dark “explore, record, report”. When the sun rose The Box was alone in the forest. Not knowing how to ‘report’ the Box is happy to explore and record until its mysterious creators come for it.
After wandering the forest for several years it encountered the city. The joy of there was to discover was intoxicating. The Box discovered it already knew how to read and has also become a voracious reader.
Game
XP 10 000
Role: The Box is a Solver who excels at uncovering clues, finding hidden objects, and overcoming obstacles.
Type: Medium ‘walker’ construct, 1x1 reach 1
Speed: 40 ft. with wheels and 20ft flight.
Action dice: 4d6
Attributes
STR: 7(1)-2 spindly rods for arms, wheels have poor traction
DEX: 15(11) +2 double jointed and very manoeuvrable
CON:  15(11)    +2 sturdy hardwood
INT: 15(11)   +2 very curious, intense but rapidly shifting ‘focus’
WIS:  6   (1) -2 naïve, impulsive, understands others as well as any other 2yr old
CHA: 4(1) -3   acts much like a happy two year old (no tantrums)
Total 36pt
Combat
Vitality: 55 ((9+2)x5)
Wounds: = con= 15

BAB 3
Melee Attack: 1 = 3 -2str
Unarmed Attack:  2 = 3 + 1 forte -2STr (1d3-2 subdual, threat 20)
Ranged Attack:  5= 3 + 2

Environment saves +2 extra
Fortitude save: 8 = 3 +3 +2
Reflex save: 5 = 3 +2 -2 origin+2
Will save: -1 = 1 +0-2

Defence: 15= 10 + 2 +1(class) + 2 (dex)
DR: 0 = 0
Resists: Sneak attack 5
Initiative: 12 = 4+1 (class) + 2 (dex) +5 origin
always acts during surprise rounds (feat)
Lifestyle: -2=0+1class-3Cha
• Panache: 0
• Prudence: 0
Legend: 2= +1+1class
Reputation: 50 everyone in the city knows of the box
Renown: Nil, but no one knows what to make of it
Prizes Allowed: 1=0+1
Origin Abilities:
• Enlightened skill Max ranks = Lvl+5 for Investigate
• Limited Profs 2 less
• Lumbering You suffer a –2 penalty with all Reflex saves and become flanked any time two opponents are adjacent to you.
• Decisive: You gain a +5 bonus with Initiative.
• Practiced Investigate: If you spend an action die to boost an Investigate check and it still fails, you gain the die back after the action is resolved. Against multiple targets you only regain the die if the check fails against all of them.
• Unbreakable: Each time you suffer attribute impairment, it decreases by 1 (minimum 0).
Class Abilities:
• Stalker: At Level 1, each time you fail a Survival or Tactics check and don’t suffer an error, you still succeed as long as the check DC (or your opponent’s check result) is equal to or less than your Class Level + 20. If several grades of success are possible, you achieve only the lowest possible positive result.
• Trailblazer: Your presence ensures that everyone survives even the most hostile environments. Once per scene as a free action, you may temporarily grant your teammates 1 of your Terrain feats until the end of the scene
• Rough Living: Your time in the wild has toughened you. At Level 2, you gain a +2 bonus to Defence, as well as with saves prompted by the environment.
• Tomb Raider: You’re familiar with all manner of dangerous locations — how to get in, and how to get out alive. At Level 1, each time you fail an Athletics or Search check and don’t suffer an error, you still succeed as long as the check DC (or your opponent’s check result) is equal to or less than your Class Level + 20. If several grades of success are possible, you achieve only the lowest possible positive result.
• Bookworm I: You can ‘walk up to the right part of a library’ or ‘flip open a book to the right page’ with eerie accuracy. At Level 2, you make Research checks in 1/2 the usual time (rounded up).
Spells
Nil
Skills:
Max Ranks: 8
*Origin Skills: Crafting and Ride (ride will be vehicles)
Acrobatics 10=8+2
Athletics 6= 8-2, tomb raider
Blend -3= 0-3
Bluff -3= 0-3
*Crafting (carpentry) 8= 6+2
Disguise -3= 0-3
Haggle -2= 0-2
Impress -3= 0-3
Intimidate -2 = 0-2
Investigate 14 = 10+2+2 insight, 19-20 max ranks lvl+5 and practiced. Also bookworm might help
Medicine 2= 0+2
Notice 6= 8-2
Prestidigitation 2= 0+2
Resolve 10 = 8+2
*Ride 2= 0+2 (nil)
Search 4= 0+2+2 insight, 19-20, tomb raider
Sense Motive -2= 0-2
Sneak 12=8+2+2pathfinder
Survival 6= 8-2
Tactics 2= 0+2
Feats: CL2, + origin*+class scout
First level slot spent on multiple feats: Custom construction tool hand (-2Str), Floater (-2Wis), Wheels (-2Cha), special construction hard wood (as per clay).
• *Pathfinder Basics (forest) +2 Sneak always act during surprise rounds and your Travel Speed increases by 2 MPH while in Forests/Jungles. (origin)
• Tool hand: always has climber’s kit and thieves kit
• Floater: flight 20ft. (see page 227), though you may rise no higher than 20 ft. above the ground.
• Wheeled: In Settled terrain and you gain the superior runner II NPC quality (see Fantasy Craft, page 235). However, you suffer double the Speed penalty from broken leg (wheel/track) critical injuries.
• Special Construction Hardwood. Mechanically the same as clay. You gain sterner stuff (see page 235) Also, each time you suffer 10 or more damage from a melee attack you may attempt to Disarm the attacker as a free action.
• (CL) Basic Skill Mastery Investigator +2 insight and threat 19-20 with investigate and search.
• Pathfinder Basics +5DR vs Sneak attacks and your Travel
Speed increases by 2 MPH while in settled/indoor (Class)
Stances:
Nil
Interests:
5= 2+2 extra origin+1CL
Total number studies: 4
• Native Language: Steam Talk
• Study: Homeland the ‘forest’
• Study: Chataya
• Study: Trees
• Study: Architecture
Proficiencies: 4 (=4scout+2CL-2 less spp)
Hurled
Unarmed (forte)
Advanced tricks:
• Relentless attack: The character focuses completely on one opponent, keeping the pressure on until an attack gets through. If the character’s last attack was also against the current opponent and missed, he gains a +2 bonus with this attack.
Gear:
Carrying capacity 35, 105
Astrolabe 10Lb
A box of coloured beetles 30s 4lb
Sextant 1lb
Child’s Game: Goblin and fox 1lb
A lobster glove puppet 9s 1lb
Book about trees (rare) 3lb 150s
Pack of cards 1lb
Hourglass 3lb
Magnet 1lb
A small bronze piece of an unknown machine (shiny) 1lb 1s
Magnifying glass (orange glass) 1lb
Map of Nation Average 0.1lb
Music box (sea shanty) 1lb
One snowshoe 5s 1.5lb
Umbrella bright yellow 3lb
Whistle 0.1lb
Ink 0.25lb
Sheaf of paper 0.5
Leaches 0.5
Total: 33.95Lb

Money in hand: 15s
Stake: 0

Prizes
Nil

[foproy]

i need some information regarding elves.
1. what kind of societal structure do they have?
2. are they nomadic or tend to base around colonies?
3. what are their feelings on these "intruders" on their land. and getting forced south?
also just about finished with the my build. just need interest.

[Iprophet]

1. Elves are tribal, divided into 'Nations.'  The Mother is an important figure, as warden and farmer, as is the Father, as warrior and hunter.  Both can be craftsmen.

2.  Mostly nomadic, but each nation has one or two large colonies, which even the nomadic tribes can consider home.  These colonies are almost never seen filled to capacity.

3.  This reaction varies widely.  Among younger elves, there are those who express curiosity about the hustle and bustle of the steam cities, while others are filled with wrath at being driven into ever-smaller spaces.  Among the elders, there are those who simply wish to go with the flow, as they always have, and those who see this as a blight on their people and their ancestors.

On a side note, calling them Steam Kingdoms is a bit of a misnomer, they are more an alliance of Mayors and City-Councils, with each city and its surroundings effectively a sovereign nation.

[paddyfool]

@Catodon,

Very creative, but then I'd expect nothing less.  I'm pretty sure you get your character's home culture and language at first level in addition to two open ones, although I've no idea what those would be for The Box.

[jameswllorimer]

Ok, here's my rough character draft - hope you like! There's still things to be added and tweaked but it's a start.

Elias Kant
Unpredictable Human Gunmage
Mage 4 / Rune Knight 1

(click to show/hide)

Type: Medium biped folk, Reach 1
Speed: 30 ft.

STR: 10 / 0
DEX: 16 / +3
CON: 10 / 0
INT: 18 / +4
WIS: 14 / +2
CHA: 10 / 0

Vitality: 36
Wounds: 10

BAB: +2
Melee Attack: +2 = 2+0

• Long Knife: +2; 1d6+3 lethal; threat 19-20, finesse, keen 4
• Old Kicker's bayonet: +2; 1d6; threat 20

Unarmed Attack: +2 = 2+0
Ranged Attack: +5 = 2+3 (+6 if using Canny shot trick, or using Black powder weapons, +7 if both combined)

• "Old Kicker" military pistol +7; 3d6 lethal; threat 18-20; range 20x3ft; armour piercing, bludgeon, load 7, unreliable & 2 runes applied(gouging, lightning)

Fortitude save: +2 = 2+0
Reflex save: +9 = 3+3+3
Will save: +6 = 4+2

Defense: 17 = 10+4+3
DR: 3
Resists: Fire 3

Initiative: +5 = 2+3 (can roll twice keeping preferred result)

Action dice: 3d4

Lifestyle: 2 (and bonus 2 Panache)

• Panache: 2 (Appearance bonus +1, 20s)
• Prudence: 2 (25% money saved)

Legend: +4
Reputation: 20
Renown: Military 1

Origin Abilities:
Lightning Reflexes feat
Mix up trick
Split decision
Attribute training – lower of Dex and Int rises by 1
Black powder proficiency
Flashy – Prudence bonus +2
Paired Skills – Ranks in Spellcasting, gains equal ranks in Impress

Class Abilities:
Arcane Adept
Subtle and Quick to Anger
Arcane Might
Circle of Power I
Battle-Mage
Rune Carved (Gouging Rune, Lightning Rune; both applied to Old Kicker)

Skills: Total = Ranks + Attribute Modifier + Misc
Acrobatics         4 = 1 + 3
Bluff                  7 = 7 + 0
Crafting            12 = 8 + 4 (3 foci)
Impress            8 = 8 + 0
Intimidate        10 = 8 + 0
Investigate      9 = 7 + 2
Medicine           11 = 7 + 4
Notice              10 = 8 + 2
Prestidigitation   10 = 7 + 3
Resolve            8 = 8 + 0
Ride                 11 = 8 + 3
Search             11 = 7 + 4
Sense Motive   9 = 7 + 2
Spellcasting     12 = 8 + 4
Sneak              4 = 1 + 3
ACP -0

Feats:
Lightning Reflexes (origin)
Favoured Gear [black powder – Old Kicker](origin)
Quick Draw
Surge of Speed
Spell Conversion: Effect (bonus)

Proficiencies:
Black Powder forte
Edged Proficiency

Advanced tricks:
Canny Shot
Mix-up (Distract)
Focus Spell
Power Spell

Gear:
“Old Kicker” - military pistol with bayonet and armour piercing qualities - 128s
Lightweight Fitted partial Hardened Leather armour – 250s
Long Knife - 30s
Bandolier – 20s
Chemist's Kit - 20s
Rations x2 - 10s
Mage's Pouch - 20s
Backpack - 10s
Magnet -10s
Money in hand: 12s
Load: ~50lbs

Spells known: 22
Level 0: Endure Elements, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Flare, Glow I, Whispers
Level 1: Bless, Cure Wounds I, Detect Magic, Disguise Self, Entropic Shield, Magic Missile, Shield, True Strike I*, Scare I, Unseen Servant, Winter's Domain
Level 2: Blur, Brawn I, Mage Armour*, Wit I, Illusionary Image II, Silence*
Level 3:Call Lightning I, Searing Ray, Counter Magic I
* +2 bonus from Arcane Might
Caster level 5, Save DC 11

Languages: High Draconic, Rust Common, and Steam Talk

Studies/Interests: Dragon Kingdoms, "Mechanika" (the art of combining magic and tech)

Born and orphaned in the harsh realms of the Dragon Kingdoms, Elias Kant realised from a young age he had several gifts in life; a sharp mind, quick feet and the gift of sorcery. In a land where the Aether is so strongly manipulated, it was hard to conceal the raw nature of what was within him; using only enough to survive and testing these nascent magicks only when he was alone, Kant eventually came of age and seized the moment to escape the lands of his draconic captors as few others had before him.

He first arrived in Bulwark, which proved to be a tough city for a young man to not only live but survive in. Kant's first few months were ones of poverty, rough-living and hiding from those that would prey on him. One night, he was caught up within an attack on the city, a rolling melee of combatants near one of the cites gates. As both attacker and defender fell around him, a pistol dropped to his feet as another waves of saurians surged through an opening in the defenses. Taking up the weapon, he pointed at the onrushing mass of scales and fired. For a moment nothing happened, but in his panic Elias unleashed his gift through the gun, surrounding the barrel in a crackling of lightning. The resultant shot killed the lead attackers, and dropped the following saurian as well.

Having discovered a way to quite literally channel his abilities, he enlisted in the local militia seeking out anyone who could teach him how to further them. However this was to no avail; few mage-scholars knew of military techniques and few soldiers had the Gift. Elias stayed within the militia for several years, honing his weapon skills whilst all the while searching to learn more about his magicks.

Eventually Bulwark could provide him with no more, and his desire to learn more and better his fighting style lead him to leave the city to discover more. He headed for Chataya, with the hope that the diversity of peoples within its walls could finally provide him with some answers.

I take it we start with the standard 500s, and can we spend Reputation to buy prizes or renown?

[Iprophet]

Yep.

[Mister Andersen]

Where do orcs fit in?