Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Cast Assembles

This afternoon saw a gathering at my house for a pre-game session. Mostly, we finished up character creation (Hero Lab remains the best thing ever for this).  Our cast is an interesting mix, to say the least:

Beerbeard, a Dwarven Bard played by my son.  He plays a hurdy-gurdy and sings about beer and gold a lot.

Judkiss "Candles" Gleave, a Human (Thug) Rogue. So nicknamed for his propensity for arson.

Bergano Decyriac, Human (Swashbuckler) Rogue.  A dashing swordsman, intent on pursuing the good life.

Caunwen Mathanmyr, a straight-laced Elf Ranger.

Flarentindalistalus, aka "Flare", a pyromaniac Gnome Sorcerer

Kishiko, an Elf Sea Witch, with a crab familiar

We're a little light on healing (the Bard and Witch can supply some) and there's no one with any energy channeling, which could be problem if undead turn up in numbers, but I think I can DM around that.  I'm a little more worried about the relative lack of front-line combat types.  However, since I'm planning on using modules written for four PCs with a group ranging up to six, I'm hoping that will offset some of the hazards.

If nothing else, they should be an entertaining bunch.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

And Then, You Decided To Celebrate

I'm getting ramped up to run some Pathfinder.  A few weeks ago, someone on RPG.net posted a neat idea for a campaign, The Epic Pub-Crawl of Destiny.  Short version: The PCs, all first-level types on the road to adventure haul off to a local tavern to celebrate their first success.  There is drinking and merriment and...

When they wake up, two weeks have passed.  And they're at least 100 miles from where they last remember.  And they're not even sure the folks with them are the same ones they went to the tavern with.  Also, the locals seem to think they volunteered to help with something, the sort of something that only adventurer-types can handle.  And when that task is done, well surely there will be drink and the whole thing starts anew.  Sort of "Quantum Leap," but with swords and spells.

The longer version involves Golarion's god of Freedom, Wine, and Ale.  And a bigger plot that's been brewing in the back of my head.  But mostly, especially, early on, it's a great device to allow me to mix up adventure styles and keep the players a little off balance.

Tomorrow, folks are coming over to iron out characters and I may be able to run some initial set-up stuff.  I've got five adults and my son lined up to play.  I've convinced the Boy to try something different from his usual backstabby rogue schtick, thus Beerbeard came to being.  He's a dwarven bard.  Who plays a hurdy-gurdy.  Should be a hoot.