Author Topic: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics  (Read 5099 times)

Offline Michael7123

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Applications close on August 1st.

Link to the game's forum on mythweaveers. You can find more details there.


To Serve In Heaven

If any of you recognize what this image is from, you get a cookie.

History is full of men and women who try to defy the gods. All of you have probably all heard Lucifer's famous line from paradise lost: "Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven". This game is all about characters who disagree with that statement. All of you have been to the highest, most Exalted place in all of existence, the seventh heaven of Mount Celestia. You choose to serve heaven and rage against the Vile Abyss.

That doesn't mean you'll get along with everyone else in heaven. I have seen games dealing with infernal politics, but I have yet to see one game that focuses on the politics of heaven. So, here we are.

This game will focus on a time before the modern D&D alignment system formed. There are two forces in the universe: The Exalted and the Vile. As angels, you serve the Exalted. At least, all the angels serve the Exalted forces for now. This will be a game of tragedy, of love, of political maneuvering, of epic battles, and the destruction of worlds. If you're interested in a lengthy game that's heavily story driven, this is for you.

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This is a story of a time before good an evil were concrete concepts. The forces of the Exalted and the Vile were the forces that the ruled the creatures of the outer planes. The Demons and their Vile hordes had to be stopped, so the gods of Exalted forces made the angels.

You are a resident of Mount Celestia, the eventual home of all those who oppose the Abyss and all it's vile terrors. While infinitely better than the abyss, it's not perfect. People have personalities. People disagree. While these disagreements have not escalated into bloodshed (for now), they still cause problems. A celestial bureaucrat with a justified grudge against you could inadvertently wind up doing more damage than a raging Baalor.

Furthermore, there have been rumors. Things that few angels dare to whisper. That some angels that have been fighting against the hordes of the abyss have started to change. They fight chaos better than any of the other angels... but at what cost? It's even been rumored that the Seraph Lucifer is among those who have changed.

But those who tell these stories must be misguided. After all, you've all tasted the glory of Chronias, of pure exalted perfection. Who could possibly be foolish enough to throw that away?

You're either an angel created by the gods, a mortal with celestial blood, or a saint who was risen up to heaven while they was still alive. Whatever your differences are, there's one thing you all know for sure:

You'd rather serve in heaven than reign in the abyss.

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General game info:

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.)?

DnD 3.5

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 (eg. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)?

This will be in a setting that is loosely based on the standard dnd cosmology of 3.5.

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?

I'll have a minimum of 3 players, but I'm willing to accept a maximum of seven.

4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?

Play by post on mythweavers.

5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?

Level 14 gestalt: see the information on myth weavers for what I'm allowing you to use that Gestalt with.

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?

Standard level 14 WBL: 150,000 GP.

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?

See the mythweavers thread: Houserules, rulings and miscellaneous Info.

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?

See answer to number 7, and also look at the Application template thread.

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?

42 point buy.

10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?

See the thread on how Alignments work in my game.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?

Multiclass away!

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?

Players make their dice rolls in their posts, I roll for NPC's when needed.

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.

See the answer to question 7

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)?

You absolutely need to have a background. I need to know if you're capable of making a good story. Make the backstory as long and detailed as you please.

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?

This game will have a bit of everything, but mostly RP.

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?

Again, see the answer to question 7.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 03:22:36 PM by Michael7123 »

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2015, 11:13:52 AM »
I'm tentatively interested, but my Google search shows you might have enough interest from your post at MW (your link here didn't work for me).

I may still try out a build for the fun of it, but I wouldn't want totake away from someone over there.

Offline Michael7123

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2015, 03:16:54 PM »
I'm tentatively interested, but my Google search shows you might have enough interest from your post at MW (your link here didn't work for me).

I may still try out a build for the fun of it, but I wouldn't want totake away from someone over there.

I'm looking for a lot of people to submit apps. There's a reason I want applications to close almost two months from now.

Think of it this way. If you submit an amazing app with an amazing character and get accepted, you will have been accepted because you can make the game more fun for the rest of the party. If you don't get accepted, it'll because I thought other characters would be better for the campaign.

Also, thanks for telling me about the link. It's fixed now.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 03:26:40 PM by Michael7123 »

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2015, 07:05:16 PM »
I'm rather liking the idea of this!  Time to start reading.

Though there is something to be said about warlocks:  Enlightened Spirit, a PrC is Complete Mage.  I'm guessing the redemption process along those lines hasn't been conceived of yet?  It's one thing for someone to have vile inclinations at first and then redeem themselves, but it's quite another for them to start practicing direct Vile magic for a while before seeing the light.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 07:11:18 PM by Jackinthegreen »

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2015, 08:35:44 PM »
I wouldn't say there's anything inherently 'vile' about the invocation system and class features other than specific call outs to fiendish origin. There's a pretty good Paladin rewrite, I believe, that uses invocations in place of the standard Paladin spellcasting, with custom invocations oriented toward typical holy and Paladin-related areas (healing, removing disease, punishing enemies, protecting allies, etc.).

Of course, It's homebred and there's already a preferred Paladin rewrite being used, but you get the idea.

@Michael: I'll definitely work up an application or two. I've still got some more reading to do to see what style of IC posts you're looking for, posting frequency, etc. I'm usually capable of posting at least a couple times during the day, though it really depends on the situation with other players and what is required.

Offline Michael7123

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2015, 12:39:24 AM »
As for the warlock thing, the only patron of warlock "magic" at this time is nuetral evil, which falls under the "vile" alignment.

As for posting rate a few times a a day is fine.

On this topic, do you guys know of any well written warlock rewrites? Just because you guys can't use the class for your PC's doesn't mean you won't get to fight against them.
« Last Edit: June 10, 2015, 12:41:15 AM by Michael7123 »

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2015, 01:59:36 AM »
I don't know of any warlock rewrites, but in helping its invocations keep up with the Dragonfire Adept's invocations + breath effects I know SirPercival made the house rule that warlocks get a blast shape or eldritch essence every 3rd level.  Eldritch Blast is Supernatural and not subject to SR, and its progression is the same as a rogue's Sneak Attack, so +1d6 at every odd level.

His full list of fixes can be found at http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=6050.msg89302#msg89302 if you're curious.

Is there anything specific about the warlock you're dissatisfied with that a quick fix might solve?

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2015, 09:21:34 AM »
Here is a warlock rewrite I like. Here is a PC of mine using it and some other homebrew that would make an excellent villain, if I do say so myself. ;)
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Michael7123

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2015, 11:47:19 AM »
Thanks for the suggestions.

Just so everyone knows, there are still plenty of open spots for apps. You all have til the first of august to apply.

Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: To Serve In Heaven: The Intricacies of Celestial Politics
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2015, 04:40:36 PM »
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?
See the mythweavers thread: Houserules, rulings and miscellaneous Info.
fify, yw.