Director of Game Design
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This is the thread for my players to discuss my ongoing campaign at the Paizo offices. This campaign is a playtest of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game rules and it starts by running the players through the upcoming Pathfinder Module B1: Crypt of the Everflame. The players for this campaign include Lisa Stevens, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Josh Frost, and Tim Nightengale.
If you want to avoid spoilers for this module, I suggest you skip this particular thread.
To allow my players to read this thread without threat of spoilers, my person design diaries for this campaign can be found at my personal blog, located here.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
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Director of Game Design
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While it seems that my players are still composing their masterful retellings of the first night's events, I have updated my blog about the first game. It can be found here.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
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Looks good so far Jason. Out of interest, how long was the session, and how much of it was taken up with character creation? Did the players use the Iconics stats from the adventure paths then convert them to PFRPG, or create new PF characters from scratch based on the iconics’ personalities?
Players, how (if at all) did you find the new rules effecting your style of play or strategy? Did there feel like any significant difference at character creation and first level play? I know that’s probably hard to say for sure after just the first session of play…
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Director of Game Design
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We spent about 90 minutes talking about and generating characters and about two goes playing. Everyone made their own version of the iconics, which worked out just fine.
There were a few times where I was starting to feel that the combats were a bit east, but then I remembered that there is very little difference between a 1st level 3.5 PC and a 1st level PFRPG PC.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
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Creative Director
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I'm playing Merisiel in the game; my version of her not only has an Intelligence penalty but also a Wisdom penalty, but HOO BOY she's fast and cagey! AC 17 out the door!
So far, it seems pretty fun, though; we haven't done a LOT but I did put the Acrobatics skill to good use.
As for the rules affecting my style of play and me playing Merisiel differently than I would have were she the 3.5 version... I didn't get that feeling at all. It felt VERY MUCH like 3.5 in play and in character creation... except that skills were easier to pick and my skill points themselves seemed to go a lot longer. Making 1st level rogues in 3.5, I was usually at a point where I had spent all my skills and still had one skill I felt was REQUIRED. With PF RPG Merisiel, even with her -1 Int penalty, I managed to get all the skills I felt I needed and still had one skill left over to pick purely for fun.
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We spent about 90 minutes talking about and generating characters and about two goes playing. Everyone made their own version of the iconics, which worked out just fine.
There were a few times where I was starting to feel that the combats were a bit east, but then I remembered that there is very little difference between a 1st level 3.5 PC and a 1st level PFRPG PC.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
I think the combats you described would probably be on the average to easy side for a standard first level 3.5 party anyway.
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It felt VERY MUCH like 3.5 in play and in character creation... except that skills were easier to pick and my skill points themselves seemed to go a lot longer. Making 1st level rogues in 3.5, I was usually at a point where I had spent all my skills and still had one skill I felt was REQUIRED. With PF RPG Merisiel, even with her -1 Int penalty, I managed to get all the skills I felt I needed and still had one skill left over to pick purely for fun.
Mainly due to the skill amalgamations I presume? This is one of the changes I really like so far.
Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I'm playing Kyra in the game. I initially picked up RotRL #1 to use THAT Kyra as a guide of how she is supposed to be...I then started tweaking her stats a bit. We were given a High Fantasy (20 pt) build, so I had 5 extra buy points to bump her Cha, Wis, and Dex. (I will post as her in this journal, so you can take a look at the build in her profile).
Some of the rule changes Jason briefed us on did affect how I applied stat points, and my feat selection. It is hard to say whether I just overreacted, or I was planning wisely for future levels.
I too found skills pretty simple under PFRPG, and I especially love that I can use 4 pts and still get effective skills scores! I never felt that the cleric "got jipped".
Honestly, most of my time was spent choosing weapons, armor, and gear, and filling out all that. I window shop too much.
So the town of Kassen is pretty much nowhere. Which really doesn't bug me too much, since I CAME from nowhere. But it doesn't mean I want to stay here that long either. If it wasn't for the emptiness in my pockets, I would be off on my quest to get as far away from the great white north as possible. But Braggard the Smith is keeping me busy and my pockets are starting to fill with coin a bit faster than I can drink it, so that is good.
This whole quest thing is pretty much a farce in my book. I mean, I single-handedly took down a Frost Giant <shows her kick-ass giant sword>, so what threat could there possibly be on some lame-ass quest that these wimpy townsfolk want us to go on? To tell the truth, the only reason I agreed to go on it at all is a) Braggard asked me to and b) they gave away a backpack of supplies.
The group of "young hopefuls" they stuck me with isn't all bad. I like that elf Merisiel. I mean, how could you not like a girl covered from head to toe in daggers. And she puts them to a mean use. I am looking forward to beating her in body counts, but it isn't going to be easy.
The wizard Ezren is pretty much as cranky and crazy as his master, though if he knew that I said that, he would probably point his finger at me and in a wavering voice say, "Fear...Fear...Fear." He keeps doing that to me, though nothing comes of it. I think it might be his coping mechanism. Whatever.
Kyra is a bit quiet, which suits me fine. I don't need any holier than thou types trying to convert me to their god or whatnot. Just keep the cures coming so I can keep the body count piling high!
And finally, that Valeros guy seems to be a quiet type, but perhaps he is just getting used to our group. More on him later.
So the townsfolk herd us out of town like goats and give us this lame-ass puzzle map that we need to put together. <in her best sarcastic voice> Thank GOD we had a wizard to figure out this hard, hard map puzzle<end sarcasm>. So we march forward and run into a group of orcs. I quickly realize that they are illusions sent to test us after I take one of the illusions down, but the rest of the group takes longer to figure that out. Even with me standing there inside the frickin' orc. Again, lame, lame, lame. I hope this adventure gets better. Or at least puts gold in my pocket.
That night, we sleep in a cozy briar thicket surrounded glade I found. Defending only one side is important. Some mangy wolves track us down, but I dispatch all three of them myself, with a timely grease from cranky mage. Not a bad night's work.
Now we are staring up at this arch in the hill in front of us. I guess this is where the townsfolk have hidden this everburning flame. Hopefully they won't try to frighten us with their illusions again and I can get some real battle in.
-Amiri
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2 – Neth
I have been in this small…village, I guess, of Kassen for nearly a week. A priest of Erastil who calls himself “Father” Prast has been kind enough to offer me lodgings during my stay. He is only a few years older, so I can’t readily see why he would be a “father” to many in the village. Yet, I see that he tries, and sincerely wants to guide what he calls his “flock”. I question his words, referring to the villagers as if they were livestock, but I understand his intent. It is difficult to be so young and to lead the unwilling to the Light. It is my hope that this god of his, an old huntsman of sorts from what I gather, gives him the aid that the Dawnflower gives me.
Today, the mayor of the town has bestowed what he believes to be some great honor upon myself, and four others in the village. We are to quest for an “Everflame” in a crypt to the south of the village, and bring it back to the village for a festival and a ceremonial lighting of hearths and whatnot. We leave in two days’ time.
Joining me will be a fierce woman from the northlands, Amiri; a frequently inebriated swordsman, Valeros; a whiley and restless elf, Merisiel; and a bitter older gentlemen who appears to be the local wizard's apprentice, Ezren. Immediately, Amiri and Merisiel began discussing stealing this Everflame and ransoming it back to the town...right in front of the mayor. I suspect that Sarenrae is testing me more with my companions than with the village's quest.
From what I have gathered, young and unproven people in the village are chosen for this, and I apparently meet these standards. It appears to be some “coming of age” test that these rustic people engage in, and while I sense no devious intent or malice in the event, I do believe that they are being less than truthful in what the task at hand may be. Nonetheless, I will endeavor to “play along” and set an example that only one who follows the Everlight can provide.
4 – Neth
We were asked to meet in the center of the village at the height of Her Glory, where we would be outfitted for our journey. The town was strangely deserted, until the marked time, when all the villagers approached in long, black robes. Many of my companions tensed at this, myself included. However, it all appears to be part of the tradition, and we were each given a rather heavy pack of supplies. In addition, each of us had a map piece that, when assembled, clearly showed our way to our destination, some two days away.
Halfway through the day, three orcs charged out from the forest at us. Immediately Amiri and Merisiel charged them. The elf was shockingly quick, tumbling here and there, and stabbing everywhere. Amiri somehow lifted her enormous blade to kill one, but then suddenly stopped and began to, I think, swear in disgust. I studied the situation myself, I soon saw it myself. These orcs were mere illusions! Announcing this to the others only infuriated Ezren to no end, and he spent the next 10 minutes spewing obscenities to the forest, apparently directed at his mentor who would have cast the illusions. Only Merisiel seemed genuinely pleased with herself…as she should be.
We set camp for the night in a thicket of brambles that Amiri declared “defensible”, and I retired for the evening, volunteering to take watch for the dawn, a glorious time to celebrate the Dawnflower spreading her light once more upon the world. I was awakened by shouts and growls, what I took as an attack upon us in whatever form. I invoked the Blessings of the Everlight, and exited the tent in time to see the party battling three mangy wolves. I was, alas, late to the battle, and administered the Healing Flame to Amiri and the others after they had dispatched the beasts.
5 – Neth
We rose to another glorious day of Her Light, and proceeded towards the crypt of this Everflame. I failed to navigate the slippery slope of the path, and fell a good distance downhill. I am greatly embarrassed, but I explained that such terrain is rare in Qadira. After calling the Healing Flame to mend what I believed to be broken ribs and perhaps a cracked armbone, we continued on to arrive at the crypt shortly thereafter. As of now, we are pausing to arrange our gear and prepare for what awaits us inside.
*Levels a long gnarled finger and points at Amiri of the Six Bears.* "Fear...Fear...Fear."
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I'm really enjoying it already, can't wait to see the Kyra stats and will be reading religiously, big fan of Lisa's Amiri entry.
Kyra's profile is up, as well as her entry. Let me know if I've missed anything stat-wise that you were curious about.
I mostly wanted to see the domains, used the fire bolt yet? I'm really interested in seeing if the domains really enhance the flavour of a cleric, nice write up by the by.
Used the fire bolt?? Oh yeah! Every encounter, baby!
Now....did I hit? Uh, no. BAB 0, firing into melee...forgetaboutit.
But, still, I enjoyed having the option. During the orc battle, I missed, and there were comments about Kyra hitting a squirrel for dinner.
Speaking of which, we are missing the infamous QUOTES that became tradition in the last campaign postings. I did not take any down, but I do recall this one:
The party had just entering a clearing, and wary of more illusions, Kyra cast detect magic....
Kyra: The only magic here is us.
Ezren: Wait. This isn't one of those "God is within each of us" things, is it? Cuz I don't want to hear it!
Thing is... it doesn't matter if a creature's an illusion or not when you completely ruin it with sneak attacks and critical hits to the eye and what not. You look just as awesome doing it, and that's what counts.
Anyway... I'll post my own take on what REALLY happened in this first session soon enough!
From the Journal of Ezren Zefiir:
As I begin this journal my new compatriots of peregrination are scattered about in a variety of tents in a most uncomfortable glen our barbaric young lady-warrior suggested we sleep in. My ears are gravid with a stridulent, porcine variety of snoring that whelms the crackling of our fire and the distant howling of wolves. The air is sharp with cold, the ground is rough and rocky, and my legs ache from a long day spent traipsing down a back-woods path. I am at once vexatious and atingle to finally be on the road, out from under the impracticable pollex of my dilatory pedagogue, and thoroughly enjoy this small, but obviously supposititious, introduction to adventuring life.
Just five years ago, I was but a map-maker in Absalom suffering under the withering gaze of the church of Abadar as they bear me no small animus over my father's conviction of heresy. I left Absalom behind and decided it was time to find someone trained in the arcane arts who might help me grow the small spark of magical skill I'd felt inside since I was a little boy. Unfortunately, the only master willing to take on a 40-year old student was old whats-his-name in Kassen and I've spent the better part of this last half-decade training myself and being perfectly and precisely ignored by a maladroit, somnolent, arrant twit.
How convivial it must be for the townsfolk to impel me into this lot to take part in their little light liturgy that seems to be in essence a hazing ritual so the superannuated brood has something fun to do when it's cold out rather than sitting around the fireplace and debating suicide. I'm am truly thrilled to start this adventuring life, though, and my companions, though vernal, brusque, and insensate, are an interesting covey.
The lady-warrior from the north seems interested in rascality as much as hostility and her habiliment leaves nothing to the imagination. And by imagination I mean, I can't imagine how she stays warm. Our cleric seems obsessed with some god or another and in truth is probably the more level-headed of us--five years ago I would've been the more level-headed, I think, but this last half-decade under the pollex of the old pedagogue seems to have driven me a little mad. Our fighter is a taciturn fellow, which doesn't fit this group at all, but maybe he'll explore his voice soon enough. Lastly, we have an elf with us and despite my guess that she's three times older than me I'm positive that she's been possessed by a six-year-old human child serial killer with incredible urges to collect and use all manner of daggers. She's dangerous, impulsive, frightening, and alien to me. In Absalom her kind were flogged publicly--here, she's best watched cautiously from a distance.
It seems as though something is developing. I shall write more later.
From the Journal of Ezren Zefiir: as translated into Common by Amiri of the Six Bears
As I begin this journal my new compatriots of peregrination are scattered about in a variety of tents in a most uncomfortable glen our barbaric young lady-warrior suggested we sleep in. As I write, everyone else is sleeping My ears are gravid with a stridulent, porcine variety of snoring that whelms the crackling of our fire and the distant howling of wolves. Crap, it is noisy around here!The air is sharp with cold, the ground is rough and rocky, and my legs ache from a long day spent traipsing down a back-woods path. I am too old for this! I am at once vexatious and atingle to finally be on the road, out from under the impracticable pollex of my dilatory pedagogue, and thoroughly enjoy this small, but obviously supposititious, introduction to adventuring life. Still, adventuring is sure sweet!
Just five years ago, I was but a map-maker in Absalom suffering under the withering gaze of the church of Abadar as they bear me no small animus over my father's conviction of heresy. Those bastards of Abadar made my early life hell I left Absalom behind and decided it was time to find someone trained in the arcane arts who might help me grow the small spark of magical skill I'd felt inside since I was a little boy. I searched for a master to scratch my magical itch Unfortunately, the only master willing to take on a 40-year old student was old whats-his-name in Kassen and I've spent the better part of this last half-decade training myself and being perfectly and precisely ignored by a maladroit, somnolent, arrant twit. The guy I found to train me would be more adept at filling a grave than teaching magic
How convivial it must be for the townsfolk to impel me into this lot to take part in their little light liturgy that seems to be in essence a hazing ritual so the superannuated brood has something fun to do when it's cold out rather than sitting around the fireplace and debating suicide. I am not amused at being the crux of the joke for a bunch of backwood hicks I'm am truly thrilled to start this adventuring life, though, and my companions, though vernal, brusque, and insensate, are an interesting covey. My adventuring companions are neat!
The lady-warrior from the north seems interested in rascality as much as hostility and her habiliment leaves nothing to the imagination. And by imagination I mean, I can't imagine how she stays warm. Our barbarian is as beautiful as she is deadly! Our cleric seems obsessed with some god or another and in truth is probably the more level-headed of us--five years ago I would've been the more level-headed, I think, but this last half-decade under the pollex of the old pedagogue seems to have driven me a little mad. The cleric is the only one of us who isn't off her rocker! Our fighter is a taciturn fellow, which doesn't fit this group at all, but maybe he'll explore his voice soon enough. Frankly I think the fighter isn't all there yet. Lastly, we have an elf with us and despite my guess that she's three times older than me I'm positive that she's been possessed by a six-year-old human child serial killer with incredible urges to collect and use all manner of daggers. The elf gives me the willies! She's dangerous, impulsive, frightening, and alien to me. In Absalom her kind were flogged publicly--here, she's best watched cautiously from a distance. We must use caution.
It seems as though something is developing. I shall write more later. Crap something is happening! BRB!
You will see ample examples of my elven snark in the posts to come. Most of them will revolve around comments at Ezren mixed with bits of madness and petty cruelty, I suspect.
For example: He talks funny. We should tie him up.
It's apparent that this is going to be way too much fun. Hold their feet to the fire, Timitius, as far as posting goes!
Great write-ups Lisa! Great profile too.
No profile for Ezren yet?
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Creative Director
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This is great! It is good to see the Paizo team engage and post office games. Hopefully this trend continues.
Agreed. I've been running a Call of Cthulhu game for several of the editors and a few friends for a year or so, but we play VERY infrequently, alas.
Also: I'm probably going to be starting up a PF RPG campaign of my own soon. I hope to have it off the ground in less than a month; it's gonna mostly be for the editorial pool only and will be set in the town of Sandpoint... I'll post to this board when it's up and running.
Yay!!! Any hints on your ideas to come? Set Post-ROTR?
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The staff's take on the iconics is MARVELOUS! They may very well set the stage for the iconic's portrayal in future fiction products.
I love how Ms. Lisa Stevens plays the barbarian almost as straightman.
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The really good news about this is that the Paizo folks are actually playing their game. You can be the greatest designer/writer on earth, but if you don't actually put your ideas into practice, your product will not live up to your expectations.
It is far too easy to let the business side of things take over, and forget that games are fun, so the people putting them out should have fun too.
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Just to let youze guys know, I'm working on the iconics set for you guys. Amiri's done and colored, Valeros is inked and awaiting editing, and the others are sketched out in pencil. I hope to have the rest inked by Tuesday, edited and colored early in the week, and assembled and shipped by Friday.
Pictures to come soon.
Hope it's not a problem. :P
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CEO
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I love how Ms. Lisa Stevens plays the barbarian almost as straightman.
You know, that isn't entirely intentional. Amiri just cuts through the crap. When Ezren starts pontificating in his "smarter than you" way, she has to give him a little crap for that. :) So she makes fun of him.
When I get some time, I am going to post a little psychoanalysis of Amiri to the boards. I have found it great fun to get into her mindset and look forward to exploring the character in full in Jason's campaign!
-Lisa
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CEO
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Sorry to interrupt again, but I've got a shot of Amiri's mini. Apologies for the poor lighting.
Sweet! That brought a smile to my face this morning. Thanks N'wah!
-Lisa
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Sorry to interrupt again, but I've got a shot of Amiri's mini. Apologies for the poor lighting.Sweet! That brought a smile to my face this morning. Thanks N'wah!
-Lisa
you're awesomely welcome, Lisa! A copy will be arriving for your in-game use in a few weeks. :D
Yeah, Lisa certainly doesn't play Amiri as the "straight man." That's our cleric. :-) Everyone else is friggin' nuts.
Sorry to interrupt again, but I've got a shot of Amiri's mini. Apologies for the poor lighting.
Oooh, I can't wait to see Ezren. :-)
You gentlecritters get to GAME too ? O.o
*zombiechowpounces the next person slated to be Turin's GM*
'grats! glad to hear the Paizo staffers are getting to play some nowadays :)
Did you guys play last week I would like to hear what happened next
The next session will be this coming monday. We had to take a week off due to an office closure.
Our group gathered itself at the bottom of a steep hill and peered across the valley to our destination. Using my keen eyesight, I noticed what looked like large dead bodies outside the cave entrance we were heading towards. It was at this time that Valeros arose from his drunkenness and asked, "Where am I?" By the time we filled in our comrade on his whereabouts over the past few days, we noticed that Merisiel had taken off across the valley to check out the dead bodies, figuring that she could loot while we talked. Not a bad idea. So we hightail it across the valley after her.
Upon arriving outside the cave, the bodies turn out to be two horses and four ponies, all savaged in a great way that left no hope. Merisiel's search had turned up nothing, though Kyra found a bag with some provisions and ... wait for it ... pillows. Merisiel tries to remove the hinges on the doors to the dungeon complex and almost ends up with the doors lying on top of her. Valeros tries his hand at opening the door, while I watch bemused by his attempt. A fit of morning heaves gave me my opening and I pushed the doors open.
The scene inside was gory, with some old skeletal remains joined now by two savaged human bodies. I quickly figure out that the bodies were probably those of the villagers sent to vex us and harass us through this farce of a right of passage. At that moment, Ezren, never able to leave well enough alone, kicks at the skeletons and they arise with lightening speed to surround the group. Merisiel gets hit by one and scampers about like a baby, crying about her boo boo. Valeros stands up to them, but goes down in a flurry of scimitars. I retreat to the defense of the door with Ezren, when Kyra calls up the glory of her god and over half the skeletons crumble to dust, with the remaining few damaged. It was at this moment that Ezren calls forth a spell that I can only assume summons my ancestors because his club flew forth from his hands and started to slay skeletons left and right like a chieftain of my tribe.
With the skeletons laid back to rest, we moved into a room full of pillars and peppered with pit traps. Merisiel ends up falling into one of the pits, only to find out that it is lined with those pillows we found earlier. Then we come across a lever. Now even I know that you don't pull unknown levers, but Merisiel has that lever down before word one can escape my lips. We hear a thunk and a clicking noise before all goes silent. We move forward and find a door with three bolts. It quickly becomes apparent that lowering the lever opens one of the bolts, so Valeros, Kyra and I quickly fan out and look for the other two levers we expect to be in the room. Avoiding the pit traps, we find the levers, lower them, and escape the room.
I should mention at this time that we had been following a wailing noise that was causing Merisiel no end of stress. We follow it down a hall to a room which has been barricaded. As we try to force the door open, crossbow bolts rain on our party. Eventually we find a townsfolk who has gone utterly insane, screaming, "The walking bones, the walking bones!" I wonder if he is related to Ezren. In any case, I want to put him down like you would a horse who has gone lame. In my tribe, if a warrior loses his mind, the tribe would end his misery, since that is no way for a warrior to go to his gods. But Kyra would hear nothing of it, so I washed my hands of this man and let them deal with him while I caught a few moments of rest.
We eventually move back to the first room and enter a door through the other side that has a large pool of water, over 40 feet deep. A voice says from the dark, "Magic is the key". As we bring light into the room, we see hundreds of keys at the bottom of the pool. Even my warrior mind saw that we needed a detect magic, so Kyra casts that and discovers one of the keys is magical. Valeros agrees to swim down and get the key. I have to admit, he looked very hot as he stripped off his armor. In short order, he had the key and we moved onward. The door to the right reveals a hallway with statues wielding clubs covered in ... wait for it ... pillows. Sigh. Will this childish game never end?
-Amiri
I think by the end of this module some characters are going to have some deep rooted fears of ...wait for it... pillows LOL
I think by the end of this module some characters are going to have some deep rooted fears of ...wait for it... pillows LOL
I wonder when the dread Pillow Golem will surface, seeking to suffocate all in its terribly comfortable grip, sending all who fall to their ancestors with a strangely comforting smile...