Pathfinder

[Teh Bagder]

PCGen appears to support Pathfinder RPG.

Edit: I should note that PCGen is one of the most hideous programs that I have ever used, and the character sheets it generates are quite awful to look at. It’s amazing after all these years that the UI is still so dreadful.

Well, it is open source, and seems to have a slow update path. I've just downloaded the Mac version and will look at it later. After I get my final chem classwork out of the way. Allegedly.

[BobChuck]

I was thinking 3rd level, standard 15 point buy.

[kenada]

Aw, I was hoping for something like rolling heroic (2d6+6) in order. I might do that anyway and adjust to make sure it fits within the standard point buy.

More seriously, I was looking for any setting/background/hook information that would be helpful.

[BobChuck]

I haven't put together details yet - I want to start in January so I can have time to do that on my week off between Christmas and new year.

But, since you asked, here's what I have so far:

Rules-wise:
Pathfinder core rules only. I will be using the bestiary as well. If there's a 3.5 mechanic you really really want, ask me. The answer will probably be 'no', unless it's something that your character has to have in order to function within the constraints of the rules.
15 point buy, 3rd level, 3,000 gold starting wealth. The party as a group also gets a single fully charge wand of cure light wounds, as I do not want anyone to feel 'forced' to play the healer.
I'm ignoring the normal "no item worth more than 1/4 your total wealth" due to how item prices break down at this level range; otherwise you couldn't afford any +1 items, and would be stuck with nothing but masterwork gear and potions.
Part of the problem with 3.5 was the over-the-top stats. Pathfinder lowered the total number of points available and increased the cost earlier to counteract this. I do not intend to re-break things.

Special Rules:
Stunting is in effect. It only applies to d20 roles, and uses the same sliding scale (+1, +2, +3).
For those not familiar with Exalted, it works like this:
On a normal dice roll ("I attack"), there's no additional bonus.
If you describe what your character does ("I slash at his throat with my sword"), the d20 roll gets a +1 bonus.
If you incorporate your surroundings ("I duck his swing, kick off the wall, and lunge at him from the side"), the d20 roll gets a +2 bonus. You can 'create' suitably dramatic scenery for this purpose, as long as it fits the location (a tapestry, a stool, a sapling, etc).
If you manage to be really impressive with either of the above two methods, the bonus might be +3. This requires unanimous consensus from all players and the GM. It is supposed to be rare.
I used attacking examples above, but it also applies to skill roles, ability checks, combat maneuvers, and saves. Saves are particularly interesting for me - I've always wondered how a rogue standing in the middle of an open cave can completely avoid all damage from a dragon's fire breath without moving from the square he's in.
Oh, and monsters can stunt too, but only if they have PC class levels, or are suitably impressive (dragons and balors, for instance).

Also, I've learned from 4th edition. I will do my best to incorporate various interesting terrain into combat encounters. Mobile classes, like Monks and Barbarians, benefit quite a bit from this, and suffer if everything is a generic blank square.

setting-wise:
Overall, it's a standard issue fantasy setting - there's magic and magic items, but they aren't common. There's humans and dwarves and elves and orcs and goblins and so on.
Pathfinder Deities-in-a-can are in effect; if you've got additional ones in mind, feel free to import (clerics have some minor restrictions here, as I don't want a player grabbing whatever deity they think will offer 'the best' domains, if such a thing exists).
Specifics:
The setting (at least initially) is a valley of sorts, several days across on foot. There's several small settlements, with only one large town. The area is ruled by a Duke. It is largely human-controlled.
Hopefully, the party will already know each other and be an officially charted adventuring company (whee!).
Assuming there are no objections, the starting point will be in a village near the eastern edge of the valley, and the initial adventure will involve being hired by a well-to-do gentleman and his associate to assist him in investigating a cave in the hills for reasons unknown (READ: you are disposable bodyguards).
One more thing: I intend to make the names of noteworthy NPCs significant in some way.

If you want more information, ask. I'll either write down what I have, or make it up and then write it down.

[kenada]

I’ve been thinking of playing a chaotic neutral bard whose performance skill is oratory.

[BobChuck]

*twitch*

Sorry, I have this thing with Chaotic Neutral. something like 1 in 4 players who pick it are trying to sneak chaotic evil in. Many of the players trying to do this don't know they are doing it, which is particularly frustrating.

By the way, Evil is fine. Evil essentially means that you don't care if your actions hurt total strangers. If that's what you want to play, fine. Just be up front about it.

Paladins are fine too. I am actually particularly fond of paladins, when played well. The generic "Lawful Stupid Cop" is really boring, but a paladin played that way would fall eventually anyway.

[kenada]

Sorry, I have this thing with Chaotic Neutral. something like 1 in 4 players who pick it are trying to sneak chaotic evil in. Many of the players trying to do this don't know they are doing it, which is particularly frustrating.

If you haven’t already, I’d recommend clicking my link. I’m well aware that people usually screw up CN, but I’ve come to a somewhat non-standard interpretation of the alignment, and it’s something I’d like to explore.

By the way, Evil is fine. Evil essentially means that you don't care if your actions hurt total strangers. If that's what you want to play, fine. Just be up front about it.

I’m skeptical that an Evil character could function well in a party. Lawful Evil maybe, but I’d be weary of Neutral Evil and especially Chaotic Evil.

Paladins are fine too. I am actually particularly fond of paladins, when played well. The generic "Lawful Stupid Cop" is really boring, but a paladin played that way would fall eventually anyway.

I’d even find a Lawful Stupid Cop interesting because I’ve never seen a one roleplayed all that well.

[kenada]

There’s also a possibility that I might make a Lawful Good half-orc named Sir Chopsalot, who wants to prove to everyone that (half-)orcs aren’t as bad as everyone believes they are. His favored weapon would probably be a warhammer.

[BobChuck]

Half-Orcs make the best bards now. here's the character I'm playing in my brother's pathfinder Orc mini-campaign:

Gorkor          CR 8
XP 0 (PC)
Male Half-Orc Bard 8
CE Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft; Perception +9
Languages common, orc, elf                  .
AC 21, touch 12, flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +1 dex, +1 nat, +1 def)
CMD 23, 25 vs sunder
hp max 88 (8d8+24 HD, +8 fav, tough)
Resist and SR none
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +5                        .
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee Scorn +12/+7 (2d4+7+1d6 /18x2)
Ranged Ranged +7 (1d0+0 /20x2)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +6; CMB +11
Atk Options Cleave, Power Attack (-2 attack, +6 damage), Sunder +13, Bardic Music 21 rounds/day, Orc Ferocity 1/day
Spells Prepared none +0d1
Combat Gear none                      .
Abilities Str 20, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 7, Cha 17
SQ Versatile Performance (Oratory, Dance) (Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Fly, Sense Motive); Loremaster 1/day
Feats Cleave, Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Toughness.
Skills acrobatics*, diplomacy*, fly*, sense*; Intimidate +16, Perception +9, Perform (dance) +14, Perform (oratory) +14, Stealth +12, Spellcraft +12, Use Magic Device +14; know +5.
Possessions combat gear, Amulet of Natural Armor +1, Cloak of Resistance +1, Ring of Protection +1, Belt of Strength +2, Headband of Cha +2, Mithril Breastplate +2, blah; Scorn (+1 flaming Adamantine Falchion), combat item; 625 gold

Bardic Music: Fascinate (3 targets, DC 17; take no actions and –4 perception), Inspire Courage (+2 to attack, damage, saves vs charm and fear), Inspire Competence (Skill +3), Suggestion (DC 17), Dirge of Doom (enemies shaken)

Cleave: Standard Action, -2 AC. Single Attack; if hits, damage as normal and additional attack at full bonus to second target.

Spells per Day (DC 13+level): 1st – 5; 2nd – 4; 3rd – 3.
Spells Known: 0th – Detect magic, ghost sound, mage hand, mending, read magic, prestidigitation; 1st – charm person, ex retreat, grease, hideous laughter, silent image; 2nd – glitterdust, invisibility, mirror image, pyrotechnics; 3rd – confusion, phantom steed, slow.

[kenada]

Sir Chopsalot is a self-described free knight, so he would be a fighter.

[BobChuck]

I may let in the six new classes that are currently being play-tested. not sure.

[kenada]

I kind of liked the appeal of ‘one book to rule them all’.

I think Sir Chopsalot is going to use either a guisarme or a ranseur. Unfortunately, Pathfinder does not appear to have bec du corbins in its equipment list.

[BobChuck]

Obligatory OotS polearm comic link: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0136.html

In other news, if you do decide on the polearm route, pick up lunge.

[BobChuck]

In case it matters, the game will NOT be going to the level cap, as it breaks before then. Probably stop at or near 15th level (assuming nothing kills it before then), so bear(bare?) that in mind.

[kenada]

Any news?

FWIW, this Sunday is bad for me. It’s the last game of the regular season, and I plan on watching Cleveland beat Jacksonville over at my parents’ place. Sorry about the late notice. For some reason, I’d forgotten that the last game would be in January when I listed my availability.