1 Spot Open - Pathfinder, Starting a new Far East themed campaign.

This group has met every other Saturday for more than 12 years. We do maintain a waiting list so message Blue if you want to get on the list.

We rotate GMs and historically have played mostly Pathfinder 1E. We do try other games most recently, Starfinder Campaign, etc. Our new campaign is far east based:

THE END OF EVERYTHING

Welcome to the Haunted Steppes!
Beyond the familiar comforts of southern empires lies a vast, windswept expanse known as the Haunted Steppes. It is a land of stark beauty, rolling grasslands, ancient traditions, and hardy peoples – both human nomads and unique beastfolk who live in wary harmony with the spirits and the harsh environment. Your journey begins in Port Mandei, a bustling, walled trading post perched on the frigid coast, a gateway between the settled south and the wild steppes beyond. It is a place of opportunity, but also of growing unease.
Whispers on the Wind, Corruption in the Land
Lately, the Steppes whisper of wrongness. The seasons themselves seem confused – summer days shorten when they should lengthen, crops rot inexplicably in the fields, and the veil between the living and the dead feels thin, with spirits growing restless. Ancient wards, meant to hold back primal forces, flicker like dying embers. A deep corruption, unnatural and chaotic, seeps into the land, twisting flora, fauna, and perhaps even the minds of the inhabitants. Far to the north, an ancient power stirs – a being of pure chaos, a dragon whispered of only in the oldest, most forbidden legends – and its thrashing threatens to unravel reality itself.
Themes of the Campaign
This campaign explores the clash between Order and Chaos, pitting the structure of civilization, tradition, and natural cycles against the unraveling influence of a primordial entity. It also delves into the theme of the Natural versus the Unnatural, as the inherent spiritual balance of the Steppes is threatened by a deeply corrupting, alien force. Your characters will be heroes fighting not just monsters, but the very decay of reality.
Your Origins: Rooted in the Steppes
To best face the challenges ahead, your character should have strong ties to the region. You are either:

1. A recent graduate of the prestigious Jade Academy, an institution near Port Mandei renowned for training skilled warriors and mages to protect the balance of the Steppes.
2. A local of Port Mandei, perhaps a guard, dockworker, merchant's child, shrine acolyte, or someone whose life is intrinsically tied to the port city.

Important Note on Foreigners: While characters from lands beyond the Haunted Steppes are not strictly forbidden, they will face significant social and interaction penalties when dealing with the native peoples (Shattered Folk clans, Gnolls/Yokai tribes, etc.) who are deeply mistrustful of outsiders. Playing a character with local origins is strongly recommended.
Peoples of the Steppes: Character Races
The port and surrounding steppes are home to diverse peoples. Consider playing one of the races commonly found integrated into the local populace or wilder regions:

• Locals & Beastfolk: Catfolk, Gnoll (native Steppe variety/Yokai-kin), Grippli, Kitsune, Kobold, Lizardfolk, Monkey Goblin, Nagaji, Ratfolk, Strix, Tengu, Vanara. Humans of Shattered Folk or mixed heritage are also common. These races often have deep connections to the land, spirits, or the unique social fabric of the Steppes, making them well-suited to confronting the current crisis.

Heroes of the Steppes: Character Classes
All Pathfinder classes are permitted, but consider those that resonate with the campaign's East Asian themes, the Jade Academy background, and the central conflict:

• Jade Academy Training: The Academy trains diverse specialists. Samurai, Ninja, Monk, Ranger, Slayer, Fighter, Magus, Warpriest, and Investigator are all common paths.
• Elemental Magic: Mages drawing power from the elements are respected. Wizard (elemental schools: Air, Earth, Fire, Water), Sorcerer (elemental bloodlines, or perhaps Void, Wood, or Metal themed), Oracle (elemental mysteries), Druid, and Shaman are excellent choices reflecting the natural vs. unnatural theme.
• Order vs. Chaos: Paladins, Monks, Cavaliers, and Inquisitors might champion order. Barbarians could represent the primal fury of nature pushed too far by chaos.

Character Concepts & Traits
Consider these ideas when creating your hero:

• Jade Academy Graduate: Eager to prove your training, perhaps seeking a specific mentor, upholding the Academy's tenets, or investigating a mystery tied to your schooling.
• Port Mandei Local: Fiercely protective of your home, connected to the merchant guilds or city guard, perhaps witnessing the strange occurrences firsthand and driven to find answers.
• Clan/Tribe Member: If playing a Shattered Folk human or local beastfolk race, your loyalty lies with your people, defending your territory and traditions from the spreading corruption.
• Touched by Chaos: Perhaps the chaotic energies have already impacted you or someone you care about, giving you a personal stake in stopping the source.
• Guardian Initiate: You feel a calling to protect the balance, perhaps seeking tutelage from the rumored remnants of the Asran order or local spirits.

Prepare for Adventure!
The Sundered Steppes campaign begins at 1st level in the port city of Mandei. 15-point buy, no automatic bonus progression. The fate of the Haunted Steppes rests on your actions. Good luck!