Lost Souls: Octhania [2E AD&D]

[Daos]

This thread is for the members of the Octhanian game to post to let me know they've made new accounts here, so I can add them to the game.  It's more of a rally point than a recruitment thread.

If I ever need to recruit more players for this game, I'll put up an elevator pitch and the Big Sixteen.  For now, all those who were invited already know what they're getting into at this point.

[Nuke]

I tried, but can't post. But I'm here

[Daos]

Yeah, I hadn't created the group yet.  You're in now.

[Breila]

Hello, I used a different email and now I could finish the account.So what do we do next?

[Daos]

Welcome, Breila.  I added you to the Octhanian group, so you should be able to post in that forum now.

[Jherek Everfull]

Are we able to join this one too? 

[Daos]

Officially, this game already has six players.

However, a few have been MIA for a while now.  I'll be reaching out to them before the game begins.  If they don't return, then I'll probably recruit to replace them.

[Jherek Everfull]

Cool beans, boss man!

[GravityEmblem]

I'm also willing to play a replacement character, should the need arise.

[Daos]

Okay, so we're looking for two more to join this game, if anyone is still interested.  For right now, don't start rolling or anything yet.  Just state your interest and give me your basic character pitch.  If I have more than two applicants, I'll have to decide which pitch is the best suited to the game.

The basic elevator pitch is that the party are part of a group of pirate hunters called the Blue Lightning.  They sail the seas, fighting pirates and smugglers, helping those in need, smashing tyranny, and overall being pretty romantic figures to the public.

The Big Sixteen below:

1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)?
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, 2nd Edition.  Even if you aren't familiar with the rules, you're welcome as long as you are willing to learn.  (Note, this version of 2E is heavily modified and house ruled).

2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (e.g. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)?
This game is set on the world of Amtar in my homebrewed setting of Lost Souls.  Specifically, it's on a series of tropical islands known as Octhania that are loosely based on the Caribbean.

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
I need two, at most.

4. How fast or slow of a pacing do you want to set? Some games require that players post once a day, every three days, or once a week.
I post once a day, assuming I have something to respond to.  I prefer to keep the pacing at once a day, but I'd say once every three days is the bare minimum of participation I'd expect from players in general (barring for things like vacations and such).  If once every three days is too much for you, you probably shouldn't sign up.

5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
The PCs will begin with 40,000 XP.

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
Players will choose whatever equipment they want (within reason), and they will be given a few magical items chosen by the DM.

7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
No classes are barred.  Just remember this is a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas.  A heavy knight on horseback would be fairly pointless.  A hulking half-ogre barbarian will likely have a hard time below decks.  And so forth.

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
I'll allow the core races and sometimes allow for more exotic ones.

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
You can either use 4d6 drop the lowest, or use the point buy system.  Whichever you prefer.  HP for 1st level is max, and then the player rolls for subsequent levels.

10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Yes...and no.  Alignment is not something the player puts on their character sheet.  In fact, I encourage players to eschew the labels of alignment altogether.  If faced with a moral dilemma, don't ask yourself, "What should I do to stay Lawful Good?" or "How should a Neutral Evil person act?"  Rather, just ask yourself what your character would do.  I secretly track alignment myself, based on your character's actions.  This means players don't know their characters alignment.  You may think you're a good person, even if you aren't.  Just like in real life.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
Yes, I allow both multi-classing and dual-classing.

12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
The players may make their own rolls using the forum's dice rolling app.  However, I may make some rolls for the players in order to keep things moving.

13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
Yes.  They can be found here, in the Lost Souls Handbook thread.

14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
Yes, a background is very important.  The PCs are all pirate hunters on the same ship, known as the Tiaru.  It is part of a loose organization of pirate hunters called the Blue Lightning.

Something else to consider is whether your character is a colonial (your ancestors came from the mainland) or a native (your ancestors were from the islands originally).  There is quite a bit of conflict between these two groups, and that will likely play a role in the game.

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
A heavy mix of roleplaying and combat.  Note that a good deal of the combat will take place between ships or even underwater.

16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
Yes.  They can be found here, in the Lost Souls Handbook thread. 

[GravityEmblem]

As I said, I have composed a pretty good character concept, and I'm ready to roll up a character ASAP!

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[notARobot]

Officially declaring my interest!

Here's my pitch:  I want to play a dwarven fighter/thief with the Investigator kit from the Complete Thief's Handbook.  He works for the Octhanian Trade Guild's "Asset Protection" department.  Several months ago, after a string of pirate attacks on their trade vessels lead to astronomical losses, the Guild sent him aboard the Swan's Song, a merchant ship from Tardiff passing through Varneil on its way to Sanctuary.  He was tasked with assessing the ship's security, recommending possible changes to procedure that might help them evade pirate attacks, and surreptitiously investigating whether the pirates might have an "inside man" within the crew.

As it turned out, the captain himself was a spy employed by the League of Freedom, and had been sending his and other ships' navigational charts to the League for some time.  When my (as yet unnamed) character discovered this, he was made to walk the plank for his trouble.  He'd nearly drowned in the frigid waters that day, but Octhanus smiled upon him and saw fit to have the Tiaru and her crew rescue him just in a nick of time.  Now, rather than return to the Guild and face the disgrace of his failure, he's decided to work alongside the Blue Lightning in hopes of tracking down that renegade captain, obtaining evidence against the people employing him, and bringing their whole criminal enterprise to justice.

[GreyWolfVT]

I'm interested if you'll have me Daos. Concept would be from the mainland sees piracy as a scourge on the seas that needs to be eliminated. As for class and race nothing set in stone just yet in my mind. Easier to decide one the dice are rolled. Thinking my character was victim of pirate raids and decided since he survived the encounter to take this as a sign to stop piracy by becoming a pirate hunter.

[GravityEmblem]

Stats:

Str-10
Dex-13
Con-15
Int-9
Wis-16
Cha-15

Backstory:

Johannas Barnsley was a sailor aboard a merchant ship when the First Mate lead a mutiny against the captain and named himself the leader of the vessel. He and the crew became pirates, and pillaged the seas for many years. Despite this life of action and relative luxury (for he was wise enough to save his loot instead of wasting it on drink and gambling), he was dissatisfied, as he felt that he was being pressured, even forced, into a life of crime. Once, while docked near the Octhanian Isles, he met with some of his closest friends aboard the ship and suggested leaving the ship for Immerfort and turning themselves in, in exchange for a pardon. (This was a common practice, at least in real life) The High Admiral granted their request, and the four donated the majority of their stolen gold to charity. (Or something...what I'm saying is, they used it for a good purpose). While his three friends were content to start a small merchants' guild on the island, he felt far too much guilt to join them. He lived the life of a hermit in self-exile on Octhanus, where he learned Drudic magic from the Octhanians there. He occasionally made trips to the largest island of Immerfort to visit his old friends and get staples that were not easily (if even possible) harvested from a tropical island. On one such trip, he learned of the Blue Lightning, and decided to join them on their journey, to further make amends for his former crimes.

[Daos]

Three applicants?  Nuts, I was hoping I wouldn't have to choose.  Okay, there is only one way to settle this.  I propose a race around the world.  Everyone meet me at Leicester Square at noon tomorrow.  The queen herself shall drop the checkered flag.

No, wait, I just remembered I have work tomorrow.  Never mind.  I guess I'll just ask more questions.

Here's my pitch: I want to play a dwarven fighter/thief with the Investigator kit from the Complete Thief's Handbook.

That could be interesting.  And I like that he has ties with the Guild, the Blue Lightning, and the League.  If he were successful in his mission, though, would that mean he would return to the Guild and work for them again?

Thinking my character was victim of pirate raids and decided since he survived the encounter to take this as a sign to stop piracy by becoming a pirate hunter.

I see.  Standard revenge plot then?

He lived the life of a hermit in self-exile on Octhanus, where he learned Drudic magic from the Octhanians there.

You didn't specify his race, but assuming he's human, it sounds like he's not a native, but a colonial.  Is that the case?  If so, convincing the druids to take him in would have been quite an adventure in itself.  He would have really had to work twice as hard to prove himself.  I imagine it would have been quite grueling and probably would have taken him many years.

Do you see him more of a jungle druid or a sea druid?