Code of Conduct (campaign rules)

[reefwood]

15) Summoning Specific Creatures

*Nimarious has selected this option. Brion & Sahme have not.*

I do like this summoning variant and also like that the rules come from a core book (DMG). Just to make sure everyone is clear on how this variant works...

1) It says that a player can roll the ability scores and hit points for every creature. Completely building every creature would be too much since everyone has access to so many creatures right now. However, you can roll hit points or opt to take the average, but if you roll lower than the average, that it was you get.

2) Each creature has a specific slot. If you can summon 1 creature, it fills up slot #1. When you can summon 1d3 creatures, you get slots #1, #2, #3, that are filled by creatures #1, #2, #3 and always in that order. If you summon 1d3 creatures and roll a 2, you get creatures #1 and #2. You only get access to creature #3 when you roll a 3 (or higher, like when you can summon 1d4+1).

3) When a summoned creature is dispelled or dropped below 0 hit points, it cannot be summoned again for 24 hours. If this happens to creatures #1 and #2, and you roll a 3 before this time has passed, you only get creature #3. Also, if you roll less than 3, you get no creatures.

4) When one of these creatures is killed for real, you lose it for good, so that slot is now empty. Sad.

5) When you gain a level in your spellcasting class, you can replace ONE creature. Either because it was killed for real or you want to roll new hit points, but you are stuck with the new creature even if you roll worse.

6) You can give permanent equipment to summoned creatures if you use a planar spell to bring them to the material plane (instead of just "summoning" them), but these spells might be very expensive to cast. Also, you can give them equipment by traveling to their native plane, but I'm not sure if an elemental or demon has an address that would be easy to learn, let alone locate. Plus, you are in the army and do not get off-time to run around the cosmos (but it would be a fun side adventure in a more typical campaign!). Oh, and keep in mind that once you give equipment to a creature, you may never get it back.

Jan 7, 2011 21:57:18 GMT -5 icnivad said:

This also raises the question about the creature's motives. Are they happy to be brought to the material plane to cause some havoc? Happy to be helping in return for some new gear? Or pissed off at being in the service of a mortal?

These are questions that are not answered in the rules. It doesn't really make sense that summoned creatures would automatically recognize your opponents, but I think the normal rules work that way for ease of game play. I would say the same goes for the first question, especially since the normal rules summon a random creature each time...are they happy? Maybe not happy, but being summoned is just part of the deal for existing on other planes. They do it, and it doesn't really hurt them, so no big deal in most cases. Doing something dangerous won't matter, but I would add that a summoned creature probably wouldn't act in a way that was obviously against its nature (i.e. summon an angel to cut down helpless children), and this would be more so with the variant since the summoned creature will always be the same one. It won't mind fighting for you over and over again, but trying to make it do questionable actions will add up over time. It has every right to refuse your tasks, and you can replace it when you gain a level.

Jan 7, 2011 21:57:18 GMT -5 icnivad said:

I also ran across this which answers our question about summoning a creature with an opposing alignment. Apparently clerics cant, but wizards have no such restrictions.
paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/gaming/dnd/summonMonsterQuestions

Yes, that is correct. A bit strange, but I guess not too much of a problem as long as the summoned creature cannot detect alignment. Cos a summoned LG creature would probably not help a CE creature if it knew the summoner was CE.


One last thing I realized is now that summon spells last so long, you can give them equipment after a creature is summoned. It might use up one or two rounds (giving equipment and putting it on) and require the creature to be summoned next to you, but you probably have enough time to give them one or two simple items (i.e. weapon, ring, etc). Armor takes too long, but they probably can't use it anyway. And you will always get the equipment back this way since it is left behind when the summon ends.

[reefwood]

16) Copying Spells from the Wizard Library

I will allow wizards in the army to have the chance to copy spells, as you would by paying another wizard to gain access to their spells, but instead of copying from another soldier or officer's spellbook, I'm going to say that there is a Wizard Library of sorts. However, I don't want this to be a free-for-all to gain cheap spells, so there will be a number of limitations in addition to the standard fee and restrictions.

First, you can only access spells of a level equal to half of the highest level you can cast. Second, a Diplomacy check will be required to gain access to the Wizard Library, and this must be made by the wizard requesting access. Third, a number of days equal to the spell level must pass before the library can be accessed again, and this is regardless of success or failure. And finally, the normal fee must be paid - which half the cost to write the spell. Once you gain access to the library, you can attempt to learn and copy the spell as normal.

Step 1: Spell Level Limit
You can only access spells of a level equal to half of the highest level you can cast. If you can cast 2nd-level spells, you can access no higher than 1st-level spells. If you can cast 6th-level spells, you can access up to 3rd-level spells. If you can cast 9th-level spells, you can access up to 4th-level spells.

Step 2: Diplomacy DC 20 +spell level
The wizard requesting access must make a Diplomacy check. The library always begins with an attitude of Indifferent (DC 15). A successful check increases this one step to Friendly. A check that succeeds by 5 or more increases this by one additional step to Helpful, hence the DC 20. Also, the basic arcane caster stats have a Cha 11 (+0), so that does not modify the DC, but a modifier based on spell level seems appropriate. Additionally, if you fail by 5 or more, this doubles the Daily Access Limit.

Step 3: Daily Access Limit
A number of days equal to the spell level you tried to access must pass before the library can be accessed again. If you tried to access a 1st-level spell, you must wait 1 day (24 hrs) before attempting another access, but if you failed the Diplomacy check by 5 or more, you have to wait 2 days. If you tried to access a 3rd-level spell, you must wait 3 days, or 6 days if you failed by 5 or more.

Step 4: Access Fee
This is the same as the normal rules. You pay half the cost to write the spell for the access. Once you pay the fee, you have access to the spell.

Step 5: Learn the Spell
This is also the same as the normal rules. You make a Spellcraft check (or use read magic) to decipher the magical writing, study the spell for 1 hour, and another Spellcraft check to understand the spell. Failure means you cannot try to learn that spell again until you gain another rank in Spellcraft.

Step 6: Copy the Spell
Normal rules here too. It takes 1 hour per spell level to copy the spell, fills up 1 page per spell level of your spellbook, and the writing cost is based on the spell level (see chart in book).

This entire process must be repeated each time you attempt to access the Wizard Library, regardless of any previous successes or failures.

Any attempts to gain access will be handled in the appropriate story thread to keep track of the Daily Access Limit.

Diplomacy: You can change the initial attitudes of nonplayer characters with a successful check. The DC of this check depends on the creature's starting attitude toward you, adjusted by its Charisma modifier. If you succeed, the character's attitude toward you is improved by one step. For every 5 by which your check result exceeds the DC, the character's attitude toward you increases by one additional step. A creature's attitude cannot be shifted more than two steps up in this way, although the GM can override this rule in some situations. If you fail the check by 4 or less, the character's attitude toward you is unchanged. If you fail by 5 or more, the character's attitude toward you is decreased by one step.

Copying from Spellbook: In most cases, wizards charge a fee for the privilege of copying spells from their spellbooks. This fee is usually equal to half the cost to write the spell into a spellbook (see Writing a New Spell into a Spellbook). Rare and unique spells might cost significantly more.

[reefwood]

17) Leadership

This should be everything applicable to how the Leadership feat will work in this campaign. A lot of it is subject to DM discretion, but this outlines the basics of how it will work most of the time.

Base Leadership Score: Level +Cha mod

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Leadership Score Modifiers (cohorts & followers)

Great Renown
Every 10 AP earned from missions with a Good rating or better will provide +1 to Renown, and these are the equivalent AP amounts from missions before the AP system:
Ch 8: Great = 4 AP (Brion & Sahme)
Ch 7: Good = 3 AP (Brion & Sahme)
Ch 6: Good = 3 AP (Brion & Sahme)
Ch 4: Great = 4 AP (Brion)
Ch 3: Fair = 2 AP (no renown)

Fairness and Generosity +1
This is largely based on treatment of NPCs, and especially allies. The current PCs have given equipment to all their grunts, so that counts as fair and generous. New PCs can't start out with this bonus but can earn it over time.

Special Power +1
This will be based on DM discretion and will most likely consists of unique racial or class abilities. Multiple special powers could provide additional bonuses.

Failure
Every mission with a Poor rating or worse will impose a -1 to Failure, and these are the equivalent AP amounts from missions before the AP system:
Ch 5: Terrible = 0 AP (Brion)

Aloofness -1
Nim definitely comes off as distant and standoffish with his loner creepy vibe. Brion and Sahme are more sociable and into making friends. Though, Brion can be pretty intimidating, and Sahme sometimes plays up the loner beast angle, so while they wouldn't receive this penalty right now, it could come up in the future depending on which direction they go.

Cruelty -2
Killing enemies is part of war, and even the "good" people do it, so that isn't enough to impose this penalty. Even sending grunts to their death in battle won't count (unless it is done for no good reason) because that is part of war too. However, being mean to grunts or innocents will impose this penalty, as may other applicable situations.

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Additional Cohort Modifiers

Has a familiar, special mount, or animal companion -2
In addition to class features, special bonds to other NPCs may impose a -1 penalty.

Recruits a cohort of a different alignment -1
Also, you cannot have a cohort with an alignment that is opposite on either axis (good/evil or chaos/law).

Caused the death of a cohort -2 (cumulative per cohort killed)
Additionally, if a leader dismisses a cohort, or a cohort leaves for some reason, this will impose a -1 penalty.

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Additional Follower Modifiers

Has a stronghold, base of operations, guildhouse, etc. +2
The PCs don't have anything like this, but if you find a way to get one, you will gain this bonus.

Moves around a lot –1
This is changed to "Leaves behind a lot" and imposes a one-time -1 penalty. To avoid this penalty, the leader must meet a requirement of bringing X amount of follower levels on missions before gaining a new level. The followers must be with the leader for the majority of the mission or be able to contribute to the mission while away from the leader (DM discretion). X is equal to the total amount of follower levels available to the leader minus Cha mod. X is recalculated each time the leader gains a level (which is also when followers are adjusted). X can be filled by followers of any level and can be split up among any number of missions between levels. To remove the penalty, you must meet the requirement more times than you've missed it.

Caused the death of other followers –1
The death of any followers will impose a one-time -1 penalty, plus an additional -1 penalty for the death of every 5 follower levels.

Followers are captured
The capture of any followers will impose a one-time -1 penalty, plus an additional -1 penalty for the capture of every 5 follower levels. Freeing followers will remove the matching penalties, but this may not always be possible.

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Cohort Advancement

At the end of a mission that includes the cohort, divide your level by the cohort's level. Multiply this result by the total AP awarded to you and add this number to the cohort's total APs. Unlike a PC (who resets AP to 0 when gaining a level), a cohort simply subtracts 4 AP from their total and keeps any remaining AP that can be applied toward future level gain. A cohort cannot gain more than 1 level between missions, but it can automatically level up after 2 missions.

If a cohort gains enough AP to bring it to a level one lower than your level, the cohort does not gain the new level—its new AP total remains at 1 less than the amount needed to attain the next level (i.e. 3 AP). Any AP above this amount are lost.

If your Leadership score is lowered, this will not lower the current level of the cohort or cause him to leave, but it could prevent the cohort from advancing further until your score is raised again.

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Followers

When followers are gained, their favored class must be selected. Character sheets must be created for followers that go on missions, but otherwise, their stats can be filled in as needed.

If a follower is captured, that slot cannot be filled by another follower.

If a follower is killed or leaves, that slot can be refilled if it is regained, but it cannot be refilled by a follower of the same class.

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NPC Creation & Gear

A cohort or follower selects ability scores using the Heroic array (or 4d6/drop lowest) for PC classes or the Basic array (or 3d6) for NPC classes.

Monster cohorts and followers will retain their standard feats and skill ranks from racial HD, but additional feats and ranks (from class levels, increased Int mod, templates, etc) can be used in any way.

Starting wealth is determined by Table 14-9: NPC Gear in the Creating NPCs chapter. Gold leftover from one category can be used in other categories, but the value of a single item cannot exceed the limit of its specific category.

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Brion Shaw

Great Renown (47 AP /10 = +4 renown)
Ch 18: 5 AP
Ch 17: 5 AP
Ch 16: 5 AP
Ch 15: 3 AP
Ch 14: 4 AP
Ch 11: 3 AP
Ch 10: 5 AP
Ch 9: 3 AP
Ch 8: Great = 4
Ch 7: Good = 3
Ch 6: Good = 3
Ch 4: Great = 4
Ch 3: Fair = n/a

Failure (-2)
Ch 13: 1 AP --> -1
Ch 5: Terrible = 0 AP --> -1

Cohort Leadership Score
14 Level +4 Cha +4 renown +1 fair/gen -2 failure -1 align = 20 (Level 14)
15 Level +4 Cha +4 renown +1 fair/gen -2 failure -1 align = 21 (Level 15)

Follower Leadership Score
14 Level +4 Cha +4 renown +1 fair/gen -2 failure = 21
15 Level +4 Cha +4 renown +1 fair/gen -2 failure -1 leaves behind* = 21

Followers (73)
1st-level (60): 30 Barbarians, 20 Fighters, 5 Sorcerers, 5 Rangers
2nd-level (6): 2 Cleric, 1 Druid, 1 Barbarian, 2 Sorcerers
3rd-level (3): 3 Alchemists
4th-level (2): 2 Alchemists (#1: Infusion, darkvision)
5th-level (1): 1 Alchemist
6th-level (1): Bard 5/Pathfinder Chronicler 1

All of the level 1 & 2 followers are worshipers of Gorum. The barbarians are a local Orc tribe that used to fight against Nemedor. Their customs recognize strength above all else, so when they were defeated, they swore fealty to their conquerors. The fighters, sorcerers, clerics, and rangers are members of the Nemedoran army. The Druid is unaffiliated with the war, but follows me because I'm a cleric of Gorum.

The Alchemists were put under my command by the army.

The Pathfinder Chronicler is composing an epic tale about my heroic deeds.

This provides a total of 15 follower levels, which means Brion would need to bring: 21 levels -4 Cha mod = 17 follower levels on missions before the next level up to avoid the -1 “Leaves behind” penalty.

*Leaves Behind (Lvl 14 to 15)

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Nimarious Steerhelm

Great Renown (25 AP /10 = +2 renown)
Ch 18: 5 AP
Ch 16: 5 AP
Ch 15: 3 AP
Ch 14: 4 AP
Ch 12: Fair = n/a
Ch 11: 3 AP
Ch 10: 5 AP

Cohort Leadership Score
14 Level +3 Cha +2 renown +1 fair/gen -1 aloof -2 cruel -1 align -2 death = 14 (Level 10)
15 Level +3 Cha +2 renown +1 fair/gen -1 aloof -2 cruel = 18 (Level 12)

Follower Leadership Score
14 Level +3 Cha +2 renown +1 fair/gen -1 aloof -2 cruel -1 leaves behind* = 16

Followers (23 28)
1st-level (20 25): Clr1 x10, Wiz1 x10, x5
2nd-level (2): Clr2 x1, Sor2 x1
3rd-level (1): Wiz3 x1

This provides a total of 6 follower levels, which means Nim would need to bring: 6 levels -3 Cha mod = 3 follower levels on missions before the next level up to start undoing the -1 “Leaves behind” penalty.

*Leaves Behind (Lvl 13 to 14, 14 to 15)