Honestly, as the guy who's usually GM-ing the game (because no one else wants to, or has the time), I really have no preference to any particular type of game (for "D&D-Style" games, it's almost exclusively Pathfinder, or Forgotten Realms [before 4th Ed.] using Pathfinder Rules). The major thing I really care about as a GM is that my Players are having fun. On this site, that partially translates to a game where my Players will consistently post.

As a Player (and to a lesser extent as a GM), I'm getting a bit tired of the "I'm the 'Good-Guy' off to save the world!" type game. Yes, it can be fun, but, in my opinion, they tend to be one-dimensional, and get a bit cliche easily. I like grittier games, ones that are a bit more "realistic" than the "Good-Guy Saves the World" game. "Evil Campaigns" are fun too, and I have no issue Gm-ing those (as long as I know what my Players want out of it first), or playing them.

I'd like to do something different. whether it simply be a "Standard" Pathfinder or Forgotten Realms game, with a few alterations/restrictions (or "extras"); to a completely new, home-brew setting (granted, this is a bit more exhaustive, but can be done).

With that in mind, I have a few basic ideas. All of them would have a few things in common

1.   Starting level: between 5th and 10th. I'll give the Players choice over whether or not to play as a Gestalt Character. Playing a Gestalt Character would mean that you start 2-3 levels lower.
   
2.   All the games would take place somewhere within either Golarion (Pathfinder Setting), or Faerun (Forgotten Realms Setting).
   
3.   Races and Classes would be themed to the game/setting.
   
4.   All the games would be something I want to be long-term (meaning you DO actually get to level-up, etc.).
   
5.   All the games would be what I classify as "semi-sand-box" (meaning you are able to go off and do other things, but there is an over-arching plot line to be discovered.)

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First one:

Game takes place (mostly) in the Underdark. We'll use either Forgotten Realms, or Pathfinder for the Game world (which ever most people seem to like better), but for the most part, it won't make a much difference (except for Gods, flavor, etc.).

We'll use "Underdark" races only (I'll go through the Pathfinder & 3.5 Forgotten Realms and put them up in a Thread on the game).

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Second one:

All the PC Races would be custom races (using the "Advanced Races" book from Pathfinder, the rules of which I will post in the game for convenience). Perhaps from magical experiments or something along those lines.

Maybe take place in a "frontier" or "backwoods" type setting.

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Third one:

This game would make heavy use of the "Ultimate Campaign" book (specifically using downtime rules, rules for building things such as a town/kingdom, etc.

This game would obviously center around 1 location, and be little to no combat.

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Like I said, these are just basic, bare-bones ideas, but you get the jist.

Fourth one:

All Psionics game. As in, those are the only allowed classes.

Two and three both sound interesting to me.  Although with the new Psionics play testing out 4 could also be interesting?

In reply to PCO.Spvnky (msg # 11):

What are you talking about?

"Second one:

All the PC Races would be custom races (using the "Advanced Races" book from Pathfinder, the rules of which I will post in the game for convenience). Perhaps from magical experiments or something along those lines.

Maybe take place in a "frontier" or "backwoods" type setting.

Third one:

This game would make heavy use of the "Ultimate Campaign" book (specifically using downtime rules, rules for building things such as a town/kingdom, etc.

This game would obviously center around 1 location, and be little to no combat.

Fourth one:

All Psionics game. As in, those are the only allowed classes."

He is talking about the "Occult adventures" playtest pdf from Paizo. Introduces 6 new classes "including psychic magic, mystic rituals, and esoteric sciences". I would link it to the produce page, but I'm not sure if that's allowed on RPOL or not.

You have my interest certainly. I only have once played a psionic class once. Which books would we be talking about then?

Also, underground, custom races and psionics only is rather specifics, I like them. But does that mean you have a rough idea for the story? If so, mind giving a rough sketch?

A bunch of unique people trying to keep a settlement going in the Underdark sounds fun.

In reply to trabian (msg # 14):

Meh... those arent actual psionics. I'm talking about ACTUAL psionics, i.e. the psion, psychic warrior, etc., etc., from dreamscarred press.

I do have a couple of ideas for storylines, but no, I don't really want to.

All of those ideas sound interesting to me. Like I said, not picky. Though doing up custom "magical experiment" races from the Advanced Race Guide rules could be especially awesome.

With custom races, especially if the character doesn't get a standard upbringing also voids almost any strict idea of right or wrong and more likely to have their own "code" or "way of doing things" to live by.

It certainly hits everything I'm looking for.

Custom races in a frontier setting possibly stemming from a magical experiment? That sounds like it could be incredibly satisfying to play.

Every race, regardless of upbringing can have their own code. Are you that type who reads the Monster Manual entry for a creature and goes "Hmm, it says you're supposed to be "Chaotic Neutral", so you HAVE to be "Chaotic Neutral".

OK. I'll start working on it, and when I'm ready for RTJ submission, I'll post in this thread.

I have to agree, the second one sounds interesting. I look forward to what you come up with.

 Oh no, certainly not. I consider them more statements as to what to which alignment the average settlement or nation has of that particular entry in the manual. There's always exceptions, followers of Elistrae are good example of drow in forgotten realms.

With 'custom races' I was thinking more along the lines of Kittenpillar100's post. Assuming a magical experiment, unique race. Lone creatures possibly brought up in an experimental facility, like a wizard's lab.

 With standard upbringing, I should have word it as, 'have no parent culture to inherit moral values from'.
If a person is raised in a Neutral Evil culture, whether that is goblin, human or Penguin. Even if you are born neutral good, either eventually you fit, appear to fit in, are a fringe or loner person, or someone that will bring societal upheaval.

Assuming a unique race and/or origin, you probably don't have an influencing like a culture or peer pressure to behave a certain way.


Then again if we create a custom race each, but there's actually in fact a whole race of us, then my comment is infact moot.

It's kinda moot either way, regardless of how or what created said custom race, there's always going to be someone to raise said creature.

OK, what does everyone think about this Game Concept then?...

1.   Game Setting is Forgotten Realms (3.5 version, before the Spell Plague). This really won't matter too much, except for things like Deities, Languages, etc., etc. So people who aren't that familiar with Forgotten Realms can easily play, without worry.
   
   
2.   Game takes place in the Underdark, in an abandoned city. This will give Players the option of just using it as a "Base of Operations" from which to adventure from, or make use of the Ultimate Campaign rules for city/kingdom building, and downtime rules, depending on which they'd rather do.
   
   
3.   PC's will be custom races (created by the individual Players), a result of various magical experiments by drow/mind flayers.
   
   
4.   Players will start between 6th & 8th level, depending on how many RP they choose at CharGen.
   
   
5.   We will use the "Fast Track" XP Progression.
   
   
6.   We will use the Mythic Tier Rules (eventually, no characters will start with Mythic Tiers). As these are completely separate from XP (Characters actually need to do something specific/epic to gain a Mythic Tier), it can be easier controlled, and partitioned out.
   
   
7.   For classes, we can do one of two things (I'm undecided yet - I leave this part up to the Potential Players). Players can either - a). All be Gestalt Characters. If this happens, I think I will theme it.; i.e. all PC's must have [X] class, or class type (Combat, Stealth, Magic or Psionic), as one of their classes. OR; - b). Players can choose whether or not their Character will be Gestalt. If this method is used, Gestalt Characters will start the game 2 levels lower, and use the "Medium Track" XP Progression.

For #7, which would everyone rather do (a or b)? I'll go with what the Majority want. If I get at least 5 people who want the same, I'll start making the game that way then, as there's no sense in doing it otherwise.

Some input on all of these points would be nice, as it will help me narrow the game down more.

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This message was last edited by the user at 10:17, Tue 09 Dec 2014.

I would rather go for the second option. It allows those who want to specialise in a class do so while still allowing those who want to play gestalt do so without making the other players feel useless.

Underdark sounds good, as does the player races stemming from drow and mind flayer experiments. I just have one question: Will you be using Pathfinder or 3.5? I myself prefer the Pathfinder system but can play both.

In reply to Kittenpillar100 (msg # 25):

Pathfinder rules. Game set in faerun.

I like option 2 also, it allows those who do not want to play gestalt to still enjoy the game.

In reply to PCO.Spvnky (msg # 27):

Regardless whether or not players are gestalt, i have a standard rule in my games for when it comes to multi-classing, to avoid players who level-dip for power. Either a player can take the XP penalty (like in 3.0 / 3.5)  for multiclassing, or they have to keep all classes within 2  levels of eachother. As a general rules, gestalt characters pick 2 classes, those are the only classes they can be (unless they use the retraining rules from ultimate campaign, in which case they must retrain the entire class).

So in your games, gestalt characters cannot take prestige classes, I take it?
Rather, um, harsh on a number of character concepts.

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 14:42, Tue 09 Dec 2014.

1) forgotten realm 3e? Sweet, probably one of the few 3e books I still have lying around.

2) This idea alone takes the cake. Alot different from, find mcguffin, rescue princess, save world.

3) Combined with the rest, this game has(will have)  one of the few set ups where you can actually pull this off and not break immersion or suspension of disbelief. Infact a normal human would be out of place are atleast wouldn't fit in with the group very well. Drow/Mind flayer things are good. Especially if there's a few drow who want to replicate or atleast copy driders.

4) More than than the base (10?) would indeed allow us for some grander or stranger races.

5) More character advancement is always good, sicne PbP can be slow.

6) The idea of gaining abilities by doing epic things is good. But won't it be a bit much if people do gestalt+mythic? That's a lot to keep track of. But I don't mind.

7) I'm gonna go with b here. Give people the option.
On the otherhand I like having a singular theme going on with the class. You can still ask people to atleast keep to a theme. You could ask that everyone take ranks in stealth or Use Magic device. Or make (or give) people with the single class take traits or feats according to theme. For example The eldritch Heritage feat would be good for that.
If going with b, and someone chooses Gestalt and makes a high RP race, then it's possible they start as level 4?

With this many posts in the thread, it should be clear by now whether or not there is sufficient interest in this idea to warrant moving forward to an actual game.

Please leave all further discussion for that game, created by NooDleZ (should they decide to go ahead with it), and linked to in the post directly following this one.

Thank you.

The game is officially ready to accept RTJ's from everyone.

Here is a link to the game --->  Adventures in Deepdark

I have chosen to rate the game 'Mature'. Please be aware of RPoL's Policy concerning games with this rating.

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A few basic things about the game:

•   I designed this game to be pretty flexible, and customizable. Not only with the races, but with classes, level, story-line, and the over all type of game it will be.
•   The game takes place deep in the Underdark (Deepdark to be exact), in an ancient abandoned city. This will give PCs the chance to explore the area, as well as make use of the downtime and kingdom building rules from the Ultimate Campaign book (should they choose to do so), and yet still have a "base of operations".
•   The general backstory for all PC's, is that they were created for various reasons/purposes, using magical experimentation, and (or) selective breeding, by a small community of Drow & Illithid (Mind Flayers). This community was raided, and basically destroyed by a group of Drow. The PCs managed to flee, taking what they could along with them in the chaos. After traveling an extended period of time, and getting lost in the maze of caverns so deep underground, they stumbled across this enormous cavern, containing the ruins of a vast, ancient city. The city is still largely unexplored by the PCs, who only recently discovered it.
•   The races are 100% customizable, following the rules in the Advanced Race Guide book.
•   Just about every Pathfinder class is available, as well as most of the "Psionic" classes (from Dreamscarred Press).
•   Character Creation will take place in four sections:
  
  1.    Build your Race.
  2.    Get your Race approved by the GM.
  3.    Make your Character.
  4.    Get your Character approved by the GM.

After all of these are finished for all Players, the game will officially start.

I will be accepting 6 Players, unless someone wishes to Co-GM the game with me. If I have a Co-GM, I will accept up to 15 Players.

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This message was last edited by the user at 02:44, Wed 10 Dec 2014.