Prologue: We Be Goblins, Part I

As I mentioned in a recent Behind the Screen, the reasons I chose to run the We Be Goblins prologue for Jade Regent were:

1. My players are relatively new to Pathfinder (some are new to RPGs in general)
2. I'm using several optional rules (Wounds and Vitality, Armor as DR, etc)
3. Aside from the rules, I wanted to give the players the opportunity to roleplay the group of silly, extreme goblins without worrying about playing their own characters 'right'.

The game worked out better than I could possibly have imagined. Absolutely hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard at a game in years. Here are a few highlights.

Little Sister's Lament

From the Journal of Locke Kaijitsu
by Lauren Perkins

Don’t call me Keiko. That name does not suit me.  Of all the things that I am, I am least a ‘respectful child’. I chalk my naming up to a running joke my parents must have had; their mockery of their youngest daughter her immortalized ball & chain.  But as I fed my intellect, the more I found their opinions of me fading into irrelevancy. If only I could find the words to make them understand my work, my talents, and my place in this world, releasing the potential inherent in all living tissues! The very secrets of life itself lay ahead of me now. They are mine for the chase, and I am a woman possessed by…but I digress, as words do what they’ve always done and betray me.

New & Updated Campaign Traits

Several ideas for Campaign Traits have come up during character generation for Jade Regent. In addition, a few established traits will have altered effects.

New Traits

Hero Worship (Sandru): You model your fighting style after the charismatic caravan leader. +2 trait bonus to Acrobatics checks and Acrobatics is always a class skill for you. You also gain a +1 trait bonus to attacks against foes that threaten Sandru.

Hero Worship (Koya): Koya's healing skill, alchemical knowledge, theology or spellcasting ability impressed you as a child and you go to her for advise whenever possible. You gain a +2 trait bonus to Heal or any one Knowledge check of your choice. That skill becomes a class skill for you. You also gain a +1 trait bonus to attacks against foes that threaten Koya.

Rescued (Sandru): Sandru pulled you from the clutches of a life of Scarzni crime. +2 trait bonus to Sense Motive checks and Sense Motive is always a class skill for you. You also gain a +1 trait bonus to attacks against foes that threaten Sandru.

Rescued (Ameiko): Ameiko found you wounded or homeless, helped you get back on your feet and allowed you to stay at the Rusty Dragon for a discounted rate. You return her kindness by cooking and making repairs at the inn. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Profession (cook) and Craft (carpentry) checks. When acting as wainwright, the caravan heals an additional 2 hit points. When acting as cook, you reduce the caravan's consumption score by 3 instead of 2.

Altered Traits

Caravan Guard: In addition to the listed effects, the bonuses gained when you act as guard, guide, or scout for Sandru's caravan increase by 1

Friend of the Family: The bonus to Perception checks is +2

Hero Worship (Shalelu): The bonus to AC against AoO is +2

Rescued (Koya and Shalelu): The bonus to healing gained from being rescued by Koya is +1 WP or +2 VP when using either the Heal skill or magical healing. Heal is also considered a class skill for you. The bonus to Acrobatics checks is +2 when rescued by Shalelu.

Wounds and Vitality (ie: Vigor)

The Wounds and Vitality (or Vigor) system was introduced in d20 Modern and d20 Star Wars many years ago to add verisimilitude to D&D's normal hit point system. Rules for Pathfinder's W/V system were reintroduced in Ultimate Combat.

Why use the W/V system? The problem with Hit Points is that they are an abstract interpretation of something critical to tabletop RPGs. When a 1st level rogue gets hit for 15 hp, they are dying, but when a 15th level rogue takes the same damage they don't bat an eye. What does that mean? Did they actually get hit or did they slide out of the way at the last second? Maybe they rolled with the punch?

Wounds and Vitality attempts to answer those questions. The system below is house-ruled to include a version of second wind which allows players a very limited form of self-healing. I've changed the wounded threshold to bloodied threshold, introducing the bloodied condition which can be affected like other conditions and may trigger certain effects (such as granting attack bonuses or targeting preferences to blood-thirsty creatures like vampires and sharks). Also included are rules for the Healing skill which were not included in the original.

Jade Regent Character Generation

You will need to read through the Jade Regent Player's Guide before creating your character. I've provided print copies for each player, but you can also download the Free Jade Regent Player's Guide PDF from Paizo.

Level/Class

1st, any class (see Player's Guide for help). The alt builds of samurai (ronin only) and ninja will be allowed, but talk to me about your background. Psionic classes from Dreamscarred Press' Psionics Unleashed and its supplement will also be allowed.

Ability scores

16, 15, 14, 12, 10, 8

You may trade 1-for-1 with other scores, but no score may start above 18 (not counting your racial bonus).