Will the Praetori be strictly human or will the procedure work on most races?

Minotaur Praetori would be hella sweet!
As is, strictly human. I'm personally not a fan of spreading it to other races, since the whole idea behind the template is that it's meant to bring humans up to the level of other species that have so many racial advantages.
 
Thinking about it, given that you are using the magic of pure law to make Praetorians the only plane touched that you could even theoretically develop a version of the Praetorian Project for are those of Axiomite influence.
 
The process likely renders them sterile. The implants aren't hereditary, it literally takes giant flesh pods to grow them in, which no woman would have the capacity to grow.
Elaheh : speak for yourself !
BTW good morning guys, I forgot to say good night last night so I figured this was a good say to start the day.
DP really is adorable sometimes.
As is, strictly human. I'm personally not a fan of spreading it to other races, since the whole idea behind the template is that it's meant to bring humans up to the level of other species that have so many racial advantages.
I get what you mean, but I find this comment amusing anyway. Any optimizer would prefer being a human to a Tiefling 99% of the time, after all. Assuming the human has access to training and can use their racial bonus feat effectively, it's an amazing ability.
 
I get what you mean, but I find this comment amusing anyway. Any optimizer would prefer being a human to a Tiefling 99% of the time, after all. Assuming the human has access to training and can use their racial bonus feat effectively, it's an amazing ability.

While that is true for PC the vast majority of people in the world have Skill Focus (whatever their trade is) as their bonus feat.
 
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I get what you mean, but I find this comment amusing anyway. Any optimizer would prefer being a human to a Tiefling 99% of the time, after all. Assuming the human has access to training and can use their racial bonus feat effectively, it's an amazing ability.
If I'm limited to 10 levels though, then being a CR 7 outsider is definitely the better base chassis.
 
If I'm limited to 10 levels though, then being a CR 7 outsider is definitely the better base chassis.
Depends what you want to do. If I'm limited to ten levels, I'd still vastly prefer being a spellcaster (ideally a Spontaneous Cleric going into Sovereign Speaker, just for quality of life and widely applicable skills).
Being an Outsider is really only good for beatsticks and some skillmonkeys. What happened to caster supremacy?

I mean, these Praetorians want to be beatsticks, so it's definitely worth the money. But in general, humans are a very solid race in D&D. Especially for PCs!
Non PCs definitely have it hard though, yeah. If I'm never going to get past level 3, I'd prefer being an ageless CR 7 Djinn than a human.
 
Depends what you want to do. If I'm limited to ten levels, I'd still vastly prefer being a spellcaster (ideally a Spontaneous Cleric going into Sovereign Speaker, just for quality of life and widely applicable skills).
Being an Outsider is really only good for beatsticks and some skillmonkeys. What happened to caster supremacy?

I mean, these Praetorians want to be beatsticks, so it's definitely worth the money. But in general, humans are a very solid race in D&D. Especially for PCs!
Non PCs definitely have it hard though, yeah. If I'm never going to get past level 3, I'd prefer being an ageless CR 7 Djinn than a human.
No, my point is that when your racial advantages do not count against your level cap, having a strong race makes you much more powerful.

A Djinn with 10 levels of Sorc will beat a Human with 10 levels of Sorc.

And some Outsider chassis like Unilla are straight better as long as you allow caster levels to stack onto racial, class-like casting.
 
No, my point is that when your racial advantages do not count against your level cap, having a strong race makes you much more powerful.
Is that a thing in this quest? I thought that it did count against your cap for PCs (it does for Azema), but that Outsiders used the Pathfinder "Class-Creature" templates to get around that.
...
Which is often even better than just taking levels in said class, now that I think about it (although it does impede PrC use somewhat).
And we've seen that people like Wylla can ignore their LA, so that's another huge advantage for them.
Praetorians, ahoy!

And some Outsider chassis like Unilla are straight better as long as you allow caster levels to stack onto racial, class-like casting.
Very true. I would vastly prefer being a Spellweaver to a human, for example.
 
Is that a thing in this quest? I thought that it did count against your cap for PCs, but that Outsiders used the Pathfinder "Class-Creature" templates to get around that.
...
Which is often even better than just taking levels in said class, now that I think about it (although it does impede PrC use somewhat).
And we've seen that people like Wylla can ignore their LA, so that's another huge advantage for them.
Praetorians, ahoy!
There's a mix of it around. Some use Class-Creature templates, others us class levels, a few even do both. Yrael is a Legion Archon with Cleric-Creature and proper Cleric levels building on that template, or at least that's what I remember of his build.
 
Any chance we should include navigation and long range communication items with them?

Evac plane shift tokens ect...

Lack of utility gear can be killer.
Those items are individually expensive enough that they aren't likely to end up as standard issue any time soon. They can be assigned for special missions, though, or maybe even to a squad leader.
 
Vote closed.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on May 15, 2020 at 6:29 AM, finished with 89 posts and 15 votes.

  • [X] Plan Angels of Death
    -[X] Recruitment
    --[X] Draw people with a known an good service record, either to Imperial institutions such as the Legion, the Navy, the Lawmen, the Inquisition and so on, or who have served with distinction in friendly services, such as renowned knights, former Silver Eye investigators, and so on.
    --[X] All candidates will be vetted by divination and selected for loyalty to you, obedience to orders and general strength of character. They don't have to be moral, but you must be sure that they will obey and can withstand temptations.
    -[X] Organization
    --[X] For the time being, all Praetori will be organized in the Praetorian Guard, a unit that will use the general organization and command structure of a Legion Infantry Batallion.
    --[X] You will draw small numbers of Praetori from this unit for specific missions for now.
    --[X] Later on, when their number has grown somewhat and you have a clearer mission profile, you will set up new units for the Praetori, with the Praetorian Guard likely becoming the official guards of the Imperial Palace.
    -[X] Service and Retirement
    --[X] Standard service length for a Praetori are 10 years, with the option to repeatedly extend the contract for 5 years each.
    --[X] Upon retirement, they receive a land or money grant like Legionaries, with these grants being paid to next of kin if they are killed beyond your ability to recall them during their duties.
    -[X] Ask Sandor if he would be interested in undergoing the procedure and becoming the leader of the Praetorian Guard for the time being, with the option of later reassignment if he feels that command isn't his thing.
 
So, we now have our Astartes.

Richard is our Constantin Valdor.

And now, we have our own Sigismund via Sandor.

*sigh*

Please, don't let the ending be Grimdark...
 
Inserted tally
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on May 15, 2020 at 6:29 AM, finished with 89 posts and 15 votes.

  • [X] Plan Angels of Death
    -[X] Recruitment
    --[X] Draw people with a known an good service record, either to Imperial institutions such as the Legion, the Navy, the Lawmen, the Inquisition and so on, or who have served with distinction in friendly services, such as renowned knights, former Silver Eye investigators, and so on.
    --[X] All candidates will be vetted by divination and selected for loyalty to you, obedience to orders and general strength of character. They don't have to be moral, but you must be sure that they will obey and can withstand temptations.
    -[X] Organization
    --[X] For the time being, all Praetori will be organized in the Praetorian Guard, a unit that will use the general organization and command structure of a Legion Infantry Batallion.
    --[X] You will draw small numbers of Praetori from this unit for specific missions for now.
    --[X] Later on, when their number has grown somewhat and you have a clearer mission profile, you will set up new units for the Praetori, with the Praetorian Guard likely becoming the official guards of the Imperial Palace.
    -[X] Service and Retirement
    --[X] Standard service length for a Praetori are 10 years, with the option to repeatedly extend the contract for 5 years each.
    --[X] Upon retirement, they receive a land or money grant like Legionaries, with these grants being paid to next of kin if they are killed beyond your ability to recall them during their duties.
    -[X] Ask Sandor if he would be interested in undergoing the procedure and becoming the leader of the Praetorian Guard for the time being, with the option of later reassignment if he feels that command isn't his thing.
 
Part MMMCDXCVIII: First Shield
First Shield

Fifteenth Day of the First Month 294 AC

The basics are easy enough to deal with, all aspirants for Praetorian enhancement should have a good record with a recognized Imperial institution or to have served with distinction with an allied power. Further they are to be checked with divination not necessarily for moral character for this is hardly the hallowed order of some kindly power, but for a willingness to accept orders tempered of course by common sense and a will strong enough to resist temptations.

For now all Praetori are to be assigned into the Praetorian Guard, a formation organized as a legion battalion with small numbers detached for specific missions. As their numbers grow other units of Praetori leaving the oldest and most prestigious formation to be what its name suggests, the palace guards. Better than seven men with swords, of that you are certain.

Much as with the Legion a term of service for a Praetori would have a set limit of ten years with the possibility of five year extensions. When one of these warriors should wish to lay down their sword with honor they would receive a land or gold grant commensurate to their service, and should they fall in battle beyond hope of return the compensation shall be paid to their next of kin.

Having laid down these regulations in ink and paper there remains the matter of them men who would fill the guard, the first of their service to which all future Praetori will look to. The boldness of those daring to volunteer to be first in under the knife is all fine and good, but you have someone particular in mind as well...

***​

"Sandor?" Dany asks startled, rising from her seat next to Vee where the two of them had been enjoying a rare free moment looking out the high windows onto the city bellow.

"You don't think he would accept?" you ask bemused in turn. That was not how you would have judged the man, but Dany knew her sworn shield better.

"Oh, he'll accept in a heartbeat if it means a better chance at taking on his monster of a brother. Especially now..." she sighs. "He's been drinking less and less since he came here and not just because he's been sent off to all manner of strange places I think. Sorcerer's Deep is good for him but two weeks back he got drunk, falling-down-drunk. I went to pick him up after the innkeeper sent word to the palace and from the things he was saying to himself... I think he must have marked the day when Gregor... killed their sister. He's been getting better since but I'm not sure he's ready for that sort of choice."

"What do you think Clegane would say if he were here to hear that?" you ask carefully.

"Well, he probably wouldn't curse at her. He likes her see," Vee interjects dryly. "The man knows his own mind, Dany. He doesn't need you mothering him."

"I guess so... it's jut that it's such a significant step, but I'd be a bit of a hypocrite to argue against that wouldn't I?" she asks with a wry smile.

"A bit," you agree honestly, your own smile taking the sting out of the words.

***​

You find Sandor Clegane in the courtyard training against the Seeker. What would be a form of self-inflicted torture for most warriors is a surprisingly even trade of blows. The warrior would still loose most fights against the construct's relentless many-armed assault, but the construct does not deal as well with purely mundane means to impair it, such as common grit in the eyes, as it would with sorcery. The match ends with two lightning quick blows from the servitor and the sickening sound of breaking bone as Hound's wrist is crushed.

Without a word Dany walks over to heal him, a fact which the warrior accepts in equal silence, though his expression lightens and not you suspect solely from the relief from pain. "Your Grace," he greets you with a bow that would fare very poorly in certain corners of the empire, followed no doubt by whoever made a comment about it faring just a poorly against Clegane.

"How would you like that fight and others like it to be a touch more fair?" you ask bluntly.

"Fairness is for knights and minstrels kissing their asses," he growls, though without any real heat.

"Unfair in your favor then," you correct, going on to explain project praetorian both in its nature and more importantly what you hope to achieve by it. "I need men that can stand against the monsters of the world and not give an inch. And then stab those monsters in the bloody gut. Interested?"

The warrior looks at the Seeker a long moment as the construct stands motionless at the other side of the courtyard, the fruit of the same craft that would remake his flesh and in some measure even his soul. "Aye," he nods slowly, "that sounds good to me, Your Grace. I'm your man."

That he was, more than the sign upon his shield, beyond the transformations he had pledged to undertake, Sandor Clegane will ever me a man to count upon.

For now Oldtown and the Reach waited.

Where do you seek news in Oldrown?

[] Meet with Lord Hightower

[] Meet with The Lantern Bearers

[] Renew your tentative connections at the Citadel

[] Write in


OOC: And here we are, not the strongest vote, but it would have felt a bit incoherent to jump right into Oldtown.
 
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DP really is adorable sometimes.
2 wholesome 4 u.

We are only in danger of grimdarkness if we act as stupid as Emps did with regards to raising kids.

For one thing, don't make more than you have the ability to pay attention to.

If you're going to grow them in pods, make sure to include messages in them for when they get spirited away across the Planes saying "daddy loves you very much", and yes this is assuming you took all proper precautions with warding them since Emps definitely did so and it didn't help him either.

Oh, and don't show blatant favoritism to one early on, and then assume that will be enough when you continuously act like a distant asshole to them... to be honest I think the latter part is some advice a lot of real fathers could use.

Oh, and don't get into the habit of disposing of your previous science experiments when you're done with them. Take the time to re-purpose them FFS, your next ones will freak out if you don't.
 
Hell yes, Sandor's our first Praetorian! That said, @Azel, two things.

1. We should do his augments and gear with Imperial Steel instead of Dragonsteel.
2. Can you update the Praetorian infopost to account for Imperial Steel?
 
[X] Meet with Lord Hightower first as a courtesy to his being Lord of the city.
-[X] There are a few matters to discuss:
--[X] Firstly: You have some idea of how to improve the city's defenses but they require significant, covert modifications to the catacombs and sewer passages, which might end up being quite invasive. The Lantern Bearers chief duties would be to keep people away from these for plausible reasons.
---[X] These methods include warded and lead-lined chambers or tunnels, plant servitors immune to the powers of the mind, and mold-driven soulforged dead capable of grappling with the greatest of horrors. Should a coordinated assault of the city occur by the Deep Ones it will come from these vectors and the Lantern Bearers, while great for uncovering hidden threats and acting as a last line of defense, are not at this time equipped to handle the attrition from the kind of fighting that will involve. At least, not without greater levels of funding than Lord Baelor might be willing to commit to that force without compromising not only their reliability, credibility, but also trust. Most of the Lantern Bearers seem to be involved in the work out of deeply personal reasons, and most Lords do not seem willing to engage in the systematization of military service as Viserys is.
----[X] Coincidentally, including Purification systems throughout the sewer system would lead to cleaner, clearer waters, deal with any lead contaminants from outflows into the bay, and also curb attempts at biological warfare, though a similar system would have to be introduced into the drinking supplies.

--[X] Secondly: You want to know about House Hightower and their allies' movements in the political arena. You will brief him on matters involving the Fey pacting with Lords for proper context. You have another group researching this right now and are determining the best way to deal with it.
---[X] This would be much easier, admittedly, if you could trust House Tyrell, but you would rather have a handful of prominent Lords you can rely on without question such as Lord Baelor and Lord Tarly. Even Lord Florent wouldn't do anything without your sayso, if not for altogether desirable reasons.

--[X] Thirdly: You want to start to grapple with matters of Citadel politics soon, so learning more about what they have been up to, how factions align, and other useful information so you are not meddling with it blindly.
---[X] You have a well-placed contact within the Citadel through one of your guises, but that seems more of use to exploit as a social lever, if you want to have a reason to be in the Citadel and find time to talk to others within its halls, but you doubt you will get the opportunity to linger long enough to investigate anything of worth. A better reason to be in the Citadel, of greater status than mere acolyte who will be restricted in their travels, would be ideal.

--[X] Lastly: You want to hear about the Faith and what objectives they have been pursuing.
---[X] Having the angle from both the Most Devout, the leading lay figures such as prominent brothers and sisters, as well as the High Septon, would be ideal, since those three all would have vastly different goals from each other.

----[X] Everyone else besides Richard will spread through the City and take on a different aspect of your interest in it and begin their own investigations. You expect to spend time raising relations with House Hightower for the better part of a day before evaluating what to focus on next month from what you learn here.
 
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Hell yes, Sandor's our first Praetorian! That said, @Azel, two things.

1. We should do his augments and gear with Imperial Steel instead of Dragonsteel.
2. Can you update the Praetorian infopost to account for Imperial Steel?
Imperial Steel does not give DR, Duesal. That's why the bone augmentations are adamantine.
 
First Shield

Fifteenth Day of the First Month 294 AC

The basics are easy enough to deal with. All aspirants for Praetorian enhancement should have a good record with a recognized Imperial institution or to have served with distinction with an allied power. Further, they are to be checked with divination. Not necessarily for moral character, for this is hardly the hallowed order of some kindly power, but a willingness to accept orders, tempered of course by common sense and a will strong enough to resist temptations.

For now, all Praetori are to be assigned into the Praetorian Guard, a formation organized as a Legion battalion with small numbers detached for specific missions. As their numbers grow other units of Praetori leaving the oldest and most prestigious formation to be what its name suggests, the palace guards. Better than seven men with swords, of that you are certain.

Much as with the Legion, a term of service for a Praetori would have a set limit of ten years with the possibility of five year extensions. When one of these warriors should wish to lay down their sword with honor, they would receive a land or gold grant commensurate to their service and should they fall in battle beyond hope of return, the compensation shall be paid to their next of kin.

Having laid down these regulations in ink and paper, there remains the matter of the men who would fill the guard, the first of their service to which all future Praetori will look to. The boldness of those daring to volunteer to be first in under the knife is all fine and good, but you have someone particular in mind as well...

***​

"Sandor?" asks a startled Dany, rising from her seat next to Vee where the two of them had been enjoying a rare free moment looking out the high windows onto the city bellow.

"You don't think he would accept?" you ask, bemused in turn. That was not how you would have judged the man, but Dany knew her sworn shield better.

"Oh, he'll accept in a heartbeat if it means a better chance at taking on his monster of a brother. Especially now..." she sighs. "He's been drinking less and less since he came here, and not just because he's been sent off to all manner of strange places, I think. Sorcerer's Deep is good for him, but two weeks back he got drunk, falling-down-drunk. I went to pick him up after the innkeeper sent word to the palace, and from the things he was saying to himself, I think he must have marked the day when Gregor... killed their sister. He's been getting better since, but I'm not sure he's ready for that sort of choice."

"What do you think Clegane would say if he were here to hear that?" you ask carefully.

"Well, he probably wouldn't curse at her. He likes her, you see," Vee interjects dryly. "The man knows his own mind, Dany. He doesn't need you mothering him."

"I guess so, it's just that it's such a significant step, but I'd be a bit of a hypocrite to argue against that, wouldn't I?" she asks with a wry smile.

"A bit," you agree honestly, your own smile taking the sting out of the words.

***​

You find Sandor Clegane in the courtyard training against the Seeker. What would be a form of self-inflicted torture for most warriors is a surprisingly even trade of blows. The warrior would still loose most fights against the construct's relentless many-armed assault, but the construct does not deal as well with purely mundane means to impair it, such as common grit in the eye as it would with sorcery. The match ends with two lightning quick blows from the servitor and the sickening sound of breaking bone as the Hound's wrist is crushed.

Without a word Dany walks over to heal him, a fact which the warrior accepts in equal silence, though his expression lightens and not you suspect solely from the relief from pain. "Your Grace," he greets you with a bow that would fare very poorly in certain corners of the empire, followed no doubt by whoever made a comment about it faring just as poorly against Clegane.

"How would you like that fight and others like it to be a touch more fair?" you ask bluntly.

"Fairness is for knights and the minstrels kissing their asses," he growls, though without any real heat.

"Unfair in your favor then," you correct, going on to explain project praetorian both in its nature and more importantly what you hope to achieve by it. "I need men that can stand against the monsters of the world and not give an inch. And then stab those monsters in the bloody gut. Interested?"

The warrior looks at the Seeker a long moment as the construct stands motionless at the other side of the court, the fruit of the same craft that would change most of his flesh and in some measure even his soul. "Aye," he nods slowly, "that sounds good to me, Your Grace. I'm your man."

That he was, more than the sign upon his shield, beyond the transformations he had pledged to undertake, Sandor Clegane will ever be a man to count upon.

For now Oldtown and the Reach waited.

Where do you seek news in Oldrown?

[] Meet with Lord Hightower

[] Meet with The Lantern Bearers

[] Renew your tentative connections at the Citadel

[] Write in


OOC: And here we are, not the strongest vote, but it would have felt a bit incoherent to jump right into Oldtown. Not yet edited.
Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
 
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