Setup & Procedures

Set Up
What do I need?

Requirements

 * An open and creative mind
 * Interest in adventure-filled fantasy settings
 * Cooperative attitude
 * Commitment to regular sessions
 * Understanding that the GM's word is final
 * Pathfinder RPG Character Sheet for your own custom character

Recommendations

 * Set of dice (d4, d6's, d8, d10, d12, d20, d100's)
 * Basic understanding of Pathfinder RPG rules and terminology


 * Pathfinder RPG rulebooks or PDF's
 * Pathfinder RPG Player Character Folio
 * Clear plastic cover slip and dry erase markers
 * Gaming miniature(s) to represent your character on the game board
 * Lone Wolf Development's Hero Lab (Pathfinder module)
 * Interest in casual roleplay of your character
 * Commitment to staying in character (avoiding "metagaming")
 * Experience with tabletop RPG games
 * Experience with fantasy/adventure genre in books, games, etc.
 * Snack sharing

Gameplay
How do I play?

You will be portraying a fictional character of your own design, adventuring with a party of other player characters, in the fictional settings utilized by the Game Master (in this case, Sepheraden).

Character Creation
There are a few essential steps to character creation. While there are some detailed walkthroughs available, I think I've covered all the bases here with my own preferences and unique spins on the rules.

Generate Ability Scores (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA)
Use the point-buy system using a point total of either 25 or 30. Click here to see how this works (in section 2) and try out different things with the calculator provided. Remember that the score range is limited to 7-18.

25 Points: 30 Points: Assign each of your six totals to STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, and CHA as you see fit (you can assign these based on the class you're going to choose, or you can choose your class based on how you assign these scores). To understand what these all mean, check out this fruitastic explanation.
 * You must have at least one score below 10.
 * You must have at least one score above 14.
 * You must not have more than three scores below 10.
 * You must not have more than one 18.
 * For example, the most extreme set of ability scores available that uses all 25 points with these rules is 18, 17, 15, 7, 7, 7.
 * You must have at least one score below 10.
 * You must have at least one score above 14.
 * You must not have any score above 16.
 * You must not have more than two scores of 15 or 16 (you may have two 15's and no 16's, two 16's and no 15's, or one 15 and one 16; the rest must be less than 15).
 * For example, the most extreme set of ability scores available that uses all 30 points with these rules is 16, 16, 14, 14, 12, 8.

Remember that these ability scores may yet be modified by your race or other factors. These are just your base ability scores, and any modifications by said factors may "break" the above rules (your capped score of 16 may become an 18 through a racial modifier).

Your ability modifier is the bonus used to determine many other stats. Each ability score (after modifications) has a modifier which is determined thusly: 8/9=-1, 10/11=0, 12/13=+1, etc.

Choose Your Race
As earlier stated you may choose any race (save for NPC or Minion races) but I would prefer you chose one of the 7 Core races.

Note any racial modifiers to ability scores, languages and other racial traits.

You can check out this handy guide that breaks down basically every race and class combination as well as other options.

Choose Your Class
You can choose any core or base class (except Gunslinger). It would be wise to keep in mind your ability scores and how they effect different classes.

Note any class skills and any other class-specific abilities, etc.

You can choose a class archetype that is a more specific or focused version of your class that modifies the abilities you gain by taking levels in that class.

Since we are starting at level 1, you are only choosing one class - however, you will always have the option of multiclassing once you have gained levels. Keep this in mind for long-term character development.

Your first class will likely be your favoured class, meaning that for every level you take in that class you get a permanent favoured class bonus (+1 hit point, +1 skill rank, etc).

Take a look at prestige classes (high-level options for characters fulfilling specific criteria for each). These will come in handy for focusing your character build and playing past level 20, however you may not take any levels in a prestige class until at least level 13.

Choose Your Skills
Determine how many skill ranks you receive that you can distribute amongst your skill list. This is determined by your class, your INT modifier, and any other bonuses (racial, etc). You gain than many skill ranks every level.

Be sure to add your ability modifiers to your skill totals as well as any other miscellaneous skill modifiers (racial, etc).

You cannot use "Trained Only" skills without first putting ranks into them. All other skills can be used untrained (without putting ranks into them).

You get a +3 bonus to a skill that is a class skill for you once you put one rank in it!

You cannot put more ranks in any skill than you have levels (at level 1 you can only put one rank in each skill).

Choose Your Feats
Determine how many feats you receive. This is determined by class, level and other bonuses.

Choose your feats carefully, noting that some higher-level feats have prerequisites and other requirements (skill ranks, ability scores, etc).

Now choose another one - you get one free "upbringing" feat!

Choose Your Traits/Flaws (Optional)
Traits and flaws (also called drawbacks) are optional bonuses or penalties that can help fill out your character in terms of roleplaying or simply making them more effective in-game (other examples of flaws can be found here, here and here - we'll discuss your choice). We can make custom ones more tailored to your background as well.

Choose up to 3 traits. If you choose 2 or less traits you do not have to choose a flaw, however if you choose 3 traits you must also choose 1 flaw.

Other Technical Details
Now that you have all the numbers, calculate all the little details to fill out the empty spaces on your character sheet !

To calculate your hit point total, add the maximum hit die for your class to your CON mod, plus any other bonuses (favoured class, feats, etc).

You must choose an alignment (as stated before, no Evil characters unless redeemed or otherwise discussed). Here's another tomato breakdown to simplify the options.

You may choose one of the ten "sanctioned" deities (unless we work out an alternative through discussion), explained here (this might play into a trait you chose, however your deity choice should match your alignment).

Note your starting languages. Normally you would gain languages based on the Linguistics skill and your INT mod, but in this campaign you will not gain languages except through practical application (in-game study, events; perhaps an additional language or two based on your background). See the FAQ's for more information on learning languages.

Determine your age, either randomly or by choice. When and where were you born? Age penalties will be applied for middle-aged/old/vulnerable characters.

Items, Equipment and Currency
We'll cross this bridge as we discuss your background. Don't worry about every little thing; focus mainly on weapons, armour, class/skill/deity-specific items, and other items that may be important to your character. You will have an opportunity to stock up on a full arsenal of adventuring supplies before too long, at which point we will work through as a group what you may or may not need to purchase.

Currency is mainly kept track of and referenced in terms of gold pieces (gp).

You are expected to keep track of all your loot, including rations, coins, single-use items, etc.

Background
On top of simply creating a character's build, a character's background can be very important in setting up a successful roleplaying experience. For the player, writing a backstory can sometimes be overwhelming, to the point that it becomes more of a chore than an intriguing creative process. It is my hope that you can draw inspiration from the basic lore provided, as well as our private discussions to develop a background; one which turns your character from simply a vassal for you to play the game, into an exciting and intriguing story of its own that will mesh with the stories of others and carve out the larger, overarching story I have shaped. Think of the campaign setting and the loosely overarching plot I've prepared as the covers of the book. Your characters will be the ones truly writing the story, down to the last detail!

To help you generate ideas and immerse yourself in the world of Sepheraden, consider reading up on its politics, religion and general history, or reference the calendar. Other random information can be found here. Keep in mind your race, deity, traits/flaws, and any other aspects of your character that might change how you fit into the setting of Sepheraden.

Form an image in your head of what you look like and any other visuals that might come into play. Creating an "in-character" voice is also a bonus.

Specific prompting questions can be found below in the initial scenario description, but try to think of general questions that give your character a more general sense of... character. For example: What's your favourite food/drink? What are you afraid of? Who do you love? Who do you hate? Were you or was someone close to you involved in an event in Sepheraden's history? What regions or settlements have you been to or lived in? What makes you stand out from the thousands of other human fighters?

This is the initial scenario we will be starting with - consider the provided questions to help build your story around this starting point:

"You are in the large tavern of the Rusty Spoon Inn, the social centre of the Market District of Cardian City, Capital of Sepheraden. The sun has just risen after an unusually misty Wet Season night, and life is stirring throughout the city.

''This particular inn stands out from the numerous others in the city primarily due to its size - roughly double that of any other such establishment in all the land. The downstairs pub is more akin to a mess hall than a simple bar, and there are four floors of tightly-spaced bedrooms upstairs.''

''It is known to have survived two floods and a fire, and countless adventuring parties have left the place in shambles time and time again. Despite the ills that befall it, its popularity and rich history provide certainty that it will always be rebuilt and/or reopened in a matter of weeks, at most.''

''It is widely considered to be a symbol of equality and progressive thought, and is now run by the five great-granddaughters of its founders. [Example of potential in-game options: A Knowledge (History) or Knowledge (Local) check could reveal some details based on your pre-existing knowledge; alternately, the young ladies running the establishment might be happy to share the Inn's history if one were to ask]''

''The city itself is ripe with energy and bursting at the seems with bodies, as the annual Council Gathering is only two days away and Councillors from all over Sepheraden seem to be arriving every other hour, some with large entourages of guards and personal attendants. And of course, following the Gathering is the Sunwrought Festival and the Solstice of Light, for which preparations are visibly underway everywhere you look. Bright and fiery-coloured banners and streamers decorate the buildings in every district, bards are practicing their newest performance pieces at every street corner, shopkeepers are working overtime to keep their shelves stocked and their hordes of customers happy, and so on. All in all the air is thick with excited anticipation of the annual festivities.''

''Who are you? Do you know someone at the Inn or in Cardian City? Is this your first time or are you a regular at the Inn? Do you come from far away, or have you lived in the area all your life? Do you like the city or would you rather be on the road? Are you in the middle of a personal quest, seeking a long lost family member or redemption for previous actions? Are you here to witness the festivities in the Capital? Did you come here seeking adventure or does the idea of exploring the wilderness terrify you? Have you just now walked in the door or have you been at the bar for a while? Did you travel here with another adventuring party or did you sneak into the city alone after dark? Do you prefer long walks on the beach or hiking in the Silverfroste Mountains?"''

Once you have your character created and your backstory finished, be sure to send me that information. Through your own initiative, our discussions and perhaps a one-on-one introductory adventure we will establish your character's unique history and circumstances leading up to the above scenario. Know that I will do everything in my power to include elements of or at least references to your background as I guide you through the world on the continent of Sepheraden!

Once we're on our way with the campaign my goal is to follow up our sessions by dramatizing your adventures, and with your consent I may one day share these stories with others (fanfiction.net, for example). Until then, I look forward to the beginnings of your stories!

Leveling Up
We will be starting at level 1. It may be helpful to look ahead to certain feats, etc that you will eventually want to have at higher levels. When leveling up, you may consider using this guide as a checklist: Note that different classes provide unique abilities and increases in different stats (base attack bonus, saves, etc) at different levels. Always check to make sure you're up to date with the tables provided on your respective race/class pages.
 * Feats: All characters receive a new feat every two levels, starting with level 1 (1, 3, 5, etc), with certain races/classes gaining bonus feats at certain levels.
 * Ability scores: All characters receive a permanent +1 to any one ability score every four levels, starting with level 4 (4, 8, 12, etc).
 * Hit points (HP): Every level your hit points increase by your maximum hit die (based on your class; ex. if your class' hit die is d8 then you get 8 hit points every level), plus your CON modifier.
 * Skills: Every level you gain skill ranks equal to the amount determined by your class (ex. a sorcerer gains 2 skill ranks per level), plus your INT modifier.
 * Spells: Spellcasters should keep track of how many spells they gain every level, the levels of those spells, and how many spells of each level they are able to use per day.

The actual process of gaining experience in order to level up is explained in the House Rules section - this should be the next place you go to familiarize yourself with our setting and play style.

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