Triumph of the Tusk

Creating your character

Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/adkCzF6S86 I'm /u Gamersauruslex Most players use Pathbuilder (https://pathbuilder2e.com/) to create their characters, which I can then import into FoundryVTT. Characters start at 2nd level using the free archetype variant rule. The first rule of PC creation is: Make sure your character has a strong motivation to join a party and pursue the common goal. With Triumph of the Tusk, you're going to attend the Torrentmoot, a kind of G7 summit for all of the orc tribes of Belkzen and interested allies and parties outside of the nation, so your character should be strongly interested in a successful outcome. Maybe you're an orc, hoping to see your people form a civilized nation. Maybe you're from a neighboring country, and you wish to see Belkzen turned into a trusted ally. Maybe you are with the Aspis Consortium, and hope Ardax the White-Haired will grant you valuable mineral rights and trade contracts. The second rule of PC creation is: Make a character the other players, the GM, and you will enjoy hanging out with 3-4 hours every week. You'll want to peruse the Triumph of the Tusk Player's Guide PDF, available for free online and on my Discord server.

Preparing for the session

You'll need a mic (webcam optional) for Discord and a computer that can run ForgeVTT (web-based version of FoundryVTT) in your browser (Chrome works well). You'll also need a free account at ForgeVTT.com.

What Gamersaurus brings to the table

I am a storyteller and we are going to tell the story YOU want to tell. I create lots of NPCs and try to give them all unique personalities, voices, habits, and motivations. Despite the use of an established Adventure Path, no two campaigns have the same plot, because I customize everything for your PCs. You don't have to be the heroes and you don't have to take every quest. You can be the good guys, the bad guys, or a little of both - it's up to you! As a general rule, I reward investigation, planning, and social interaction, but in this campaign, I will also be providing in-game rewards for leaning into orc culture and politics. The more you know (and the more friends/connections you have), the better armed you will be for what might be lurking around the next corner. I always reward players who come up with unique or creative ways to solve problems, and there are no stupid questions (e.g., "Can I swing across the room on the chandelier?" "Heck yeah, roll an Acrobatics check!") I generally follow the rules as written, along with some modifications to keep the game moving (e.g., if the battle is clearly won, rather than sit around for another 4 rounds whittling away at a monster's HP, I may ask if "How do you want to end it?"), but I am also not opposed to the Rule of Cool, especially in climactic moments! All my games are high on RP, but this AP is filled with influence and political intrigue. For important NPCs and factions, I track attitudes and reputation. Sometimes, combat can be avoided (or even interrupted) with a well-timed diplomatic offer or intimidating threat. That said, my combats are challenging and interesting (lots of modified monsters, varied settings, hazards, and goals) and character death is always a possibility. (We can discuss at session zero just how gritty or grim you want it - my default is grittier than Harry Potter, but maybe not quite Game of Thrones. If you want to use a voice or accent, that is awesome, but you are also free to narrate your character's actions in the first or third person: e.g., "Beatrice is suspicious of this haughty noble and tries to direct the conversation to learn more about his background" or "I don't believe him, but I want to convince him that I do." As far as resources go, I use FoundryVTT on ForgeVTT (so you just need a free account at the ForgeVTT website and not your own copy of FoundryVTT). I have a subscription to Demiplane's Pathfinder Nexus for creating characters, but most of my players use Pathbuilder. I also use a ton of add-ons and other services, such as Syrinscape, dScryb, assets and mods from content creators on Patreon (Michael Ghelfi, Czepeku, Mr Primate, TheRipper93, etc.) for awesome maps and art, and even some custom-created maps and tokens and customized art from the original Pathfinder modules (all of which I own).

Homebrew rules

* You don't lose your hero point if your new roll is lower. *Ronald the Rules Lawyer's version of Aid (more generous) *Ronald the Rules Lawyer's version of Recall Knowledge (more flexible) Free Archetype Variant (not homebrew, but it is a variant)

How Gamersaurus creates a safe table

This AP includes lots of violence, because even when they are getting along, orcs still fight a lot. There will be undead and vicious monsters that can be cruel and violent. We'll have a session zero where we agree on the lines to be drawn and veils to be raised (i.e., anything terribly horrifying will likely take place "off screen").