OOC Thread

[JadedDM]

Awesome. And from what little Horizon has told me of her character so far, it sounds like we have a very interesting party so far. This should be a lot of fun.

In addition to working on the Octhanus Church and the Storm Sorcerer Academy, I'm currently working on the major islands, too. Soon, I'll post information on them (not a lot, just a little blurb for each) and we can work on deciding which island we'll start the game on.

[JadedDM]

Alright, I posted some information on the ten biggest islands in Octhania.

This should help you decide on which island your characters are from, but also which island you think we should all start on. Once we know which island we're starting on, I can zoom in, and flesh that island out further, and then we can pick our starting town, as well.

Also, we can go ahead and finish up our party members.

Horizon, your character starts with 2 WP, 5 NWP, and 1 language. Please roll 3d6 for her starting gold, and post it here. Then multiply that number by 10, and that's how much money you start with, so you can buy your gear. Don't forget your holy icon. Also, remember that once all purchases are made, as a priest she must return all but 2-3 gp to her superiors.

Breila, your character starts with 1 WP, 9 NWP, and 5 languages. Please roll 1d4+1 for her starting gold, and post it here. Multiply that number by 10, and that's how much money you get. Your first spellbook is free of charge. You start the game with Detect Magic, Read Magic and six other spells of your choice in your spellbook, no rolls needed (the benefits of an education!). You can choose any 1st-level spell found in the PHB, The Complete Wizard's Handbook, The Complete Bard's Handbook, and Of Ships and the Sea.

Jenara hasn't actually rolled up her character yet, so she needs to do that first.

I have a complete list of Nonweapon proficiencies I use found here. If there is any equipment you want that isn't found in the PHB, just ask.

The most common languages on the islands are Common, Octhanian, Elven, Dwarven, Gnomish, Halfling, and Merfolk (basically, Underwater Common). Rarer languages include Orcish, Ogre, Goblin, Hobgoblin, Gnoll, Lizardman, Aarakocra, Bullywug, Kobold, Reef Giant, Deep Common (the common language of the Underdark), Renosian, Gontorian, Rabban, Crizzian, Locathah, Sahuagin, Sirine, Triton, and Yuan-ti.

Remember when purchasing equipment to keep in mind where everything goes. A common thing I see often in character creation is for the player to not purchase any packs, sacks, pouches, etc., leaving everything just kind of floating in the ether.

When you're done with everything, send me your character sheet via email. If I approve it, I'll add your completed stat block to the Character Stats thread and unlock the Character Description thread so you can post your character's description and picture (if you have one).

If there's something wrong, something missing, or I have some questions about it, we'll converse over email until everyone's satisfied.

These are things your character sheet needs to include:
Character's name, race, gender, class (kit, if any), age, alignment, height and weight.
Ability scores (modified for race and age, if necessary)
Weapon and nonweapon proficiencies, as well as languages, chosen.
Spells chosen, if applicable.
Equipment and money, and where you keep all of it
Appearance, personality, motivation, and history

That's really it. Don't worry about things like saving throws, armor class, and what have you, because I can figure that kind of stuff on my own.

Any further questions, just ask.

[Jenara]

I shall make my PC tomorrow, when I am a little less tired, slowly getting back to games properly.

[HorizonsDream]

Islands that I am considering for where to start the game are Vaneil or Doubloon.

Here is my roll for starting money.

[Breila]

Of those two, I would prefer Vaneil.

I have partly done my character sheet, but still need to do equipment and languages. I guess the NWP are defined by the teachings of the Storm Sorcerer academy, I would need to put that into form, too.

Since I am going to be away 26th May - 8th June (both days included) and quite busy until then, I hope I can wait with that until after my return.

[JadedDM]

There's no hurry. Horizon only started on her character this morning, and Jenara hasn't rolled yet.

[JadedDM]

Horizon's character has been received and approved.

I've unlocked the Character Descriptions thread so she can put up her appearance and picture (if any).

[JadedDM]

I would like to try and revitalize the conversation on the starting island here, if only because I have nothing else to work on until we settle on one or someone else turns in a character.

It's a somewhat important decision, because it will have an effect on how the game begins and what quests you are initially offered. For instance, if you start on Vaneil, there's a good chance you'll have an opportunity to work for the Guild. If you start on Mond, instead there's a chance you could wind up working for the League.

Likewise, the terrain could influence the game. Hashadeth is covered with jungle, while Immerfort is mostly mountainous. Thus, if we start on Immerfort, there's likely to be a quest that might send you into the mountains, or the jungles on Hashadeth.

Of course, all quests are optional. And you guys are free to go anywhere you like, so you can always hop a boat to another island if things aren't to your liking.

The people you deal with at the game's beginning will also be defined by the starting point. Doubloon is a land ruled by fear and tyranny. Immerfort is a well-oiled machine of law and order. Hashadeth is an easy-going, laid-back kind of place where people try not to step on each other's toes. And so forth. This also includes the NPCs that will immediately be available to join the party, should the group seek to recruit any.

You also have the option to opt out on feedback on this subject entirely. If you decide you don't really care where we start, one way or the other, you can say so. If all of you choose that option, then I'll come up with the starting locale myself. I'm only offering the option now, so you guys have that option if you want it.

Once a decision is reached, we'll then need to consider how and why your characters are there (especially if it's not the island where they live). Horizon has it easy; as an acolyte in the church, she goes wherever she is told to go by the church.

Anyway, the sooner everyone weighs in on this, the sooner I can start working in earnest on the game.

[HorizonsDream]

Well, I gave my ideas on islands to start on, but I'm certainly open to what everyone else has to say.

I picked Doubloon because it just sounded interesting to me. I also picked Vaneil because it seemed that it would have a lot of opportunity.

[Breila]

Ouragana could start on pretty much any island, too, the only requisite is that it is visited by merchant ships who hire storm sorcerers.

[JadedDM]

Actually, any ship that can afford to will hire a Storm Sorcerer. Not just merchant ships, but exploration vessels, transports, battleships, and even pirate ships.

[JadedDM]

Wait, I have an idea.

Breila and Jenara...do either of you know yet what alignment your characters are going to be?

[Jenara]

I was toying with CN, but will probably end up with NG.
I have been sidetracked with life, trying to spend more time with my family, will make her by midweek.

[JadedDM]

Well, the reason I brought it up...

So far the only islands anyone has brought up so far are the two Horizon mentioned, Doubloon and Vaneil. So I'll limit discussion to those two for now.

Doubloon is a rather nasty place, though. It's government is a cruel and unjust dictatorship (Chaotic Evil). The party can certainly start the session there, but they may find it difficult. Most of the quests they'll find there will involve hurting people for money and power. They can try and do good works, but that might get them in trouble. So unless the party is largely evil or at least neutral, they may have some issues with the jobs there.

Vaneil, on the other hand, is Lawful Neutral. So the jobs you find there will be far less questionable, morally speaking. However, the overly lawful tendencies of the place might not sit well with the party if they are overly chaotic (Horizon's character is chaotic, and Jenara's may possibly be). If the party doesn't do things by the book and toe the line, they may find themselves at the mercy of the authorities.

Seems like there are pros and cons to either. So what are your collective thoughts on this?

[Breila]

The CE dictatorship was precisely what made me opt against Doubloon. I know I would find no pleasure in playing an evil-aligned character, and I know I' not even really good at neutrality, but I might want to give it a try. So unless our characters are all victims who find each other in their quest to get off the island, I cannot see how we start there.

(Ouragana's sheet is quite well advanced, I only need starting money and equipment, and, yes, alignment)