The Flaxseed Pathfinder Lodge: Explore, Report, Cooperate!

Game Master Redelia

Gotcha. Yeah, that's what I meant, basically. I was asking about how much you got per scenario, so that makes sense.

Thanks!

Thanks everyone! My wife and I are both in grad school so know that your money will be going towards a good cause!

Best of luck! My wife finally finished her dual-Masters this last year so I know it can be an exciting ride.

EndlessForms wrote:

Thanks everyone! My wife and I are both in grad school so know that your money will be going towards a good cause!

Best of luck! My wife finally finished her dual-Masters this last year so I know it can be an exciting ride.

I don't know if 'exciting' is the word I would use, haha. I'm working on my PhD in genetics and she's starting her masters in public health this summer. It's a grind, that's for sure.

Gotcha. Yeah, that's what I meant, basically. I was asking about how much you got per scenario, so that makes sense. Thanks!

How much you get per scenario depends on the scenario that you play. If you play just a regular one than it is usually just one pp.

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Steven_Evil wrote:

Gotcha. Yeah, that's what I meant, basically. I was asking about how much you got per scenario, so that makes sense. Thanks!

How much you get per scenario depends on the scenario that you play. If you play just a regular one than it is usually just one pp.

That's actually not completely true. Regular PFS scenarios award a maximum of 2 PP. The first prestige point is based on whether you successfully completed the mission. The second point is based on an untold secondary objective(s). If you do your job and are a good agent, you should generally receive the second point.

Modules award 4 PP, as do sanctioned parts of Adventure Paths.

ahh.. thats right. I stand corrected. I was thinking xp for some reason.

Yeah, I knew about how the pp worked, but I guess I didn't pay attention when they went over the fame part.

Thanks guys!

Fame is just the total of all PP that you have earned on that character. SO add up every PP across all of that character's chronicles and that is his fame. The fame amount sets the gold limit on purchases for the character to try and keep everyone in line and around the same power level.

Pirate Rob wrote:

EndlessForms wrote:

Thanks everyone! My wife and I are both in grad school so know that your money will be going towards a good cause!

Best of luck! My wife finally finished her dual-Masters this last year so I know it can be an exciting ride.

I don't know if 'exciting' is the word I would use, haha. I'm working on my PhD in genetics and she's starting her masters in public health this summer. It's a grind, that's for sure.

My wife and I did our masters at the same time, and then she got her PhD while I went to law school. I'm not sure we saw the sun for about a decade there.

Good luck with the sale!

Are the Occult playtest classes available for play in PFS?

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Only if you actually played one in the playtest window. You can't make a new character using Occult playtest material anymore.

They will be aviable once the book comes out in a few months. Until then it's as Megabeus stated.

I'm happy with what's being done with the Kinetisist, getting more skills and powers. With my current playtest character, I felt that there was something lacking, because of the lack of skill points. Other than that, having almost anything be a weapon is awesome!

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I was kind of underwhelmed by the Mesmerist, though I haven't looked at anything that was done to it after the playtest.

I'm happy with what's being done with the Kinetisist, getting more skills and powers. With my current playtest character, I felt that there was something lacking, because of the lack of skill points. Other than that, having almost anything be a weapon is awesome!

Phew, you should have seen the kineticist in our Tears at Bitter Manor all-psychic playtest. I honestly think the kineticist may have been able to solo the whole module. I think they actually need to scale its powers way back or we might have another class on our hands that is just too easy to break.

I'm in a game of MoFF with a kineticist, and he is absolutely brutal. They really could use a couple of nerfs.

Yeah, it is pretty brutal, and can be somewhat broken. If it hits, there is pain involved. Minimum damage within the 30' is going to be 6 if they have their Constitution at 18, 5 if they didn't take Point Blank Shot. That's not the scary thing though. At level six, if going down a certain feat path, can essentially bypass DR and use the suffocation rules with a giant bucket of sand, or cause more damage by dropping things on their targets.

Now, their drawback is light armor, but that's where strategy is key. Just hit level two with my Kineticist, and can now disable devices from 30' away. At fourth level, walls everywhere!

Also, hi Steven_Evil!

They sound fun to play. I don't think that any of the variation ability wise, just a slight nerf to damage here and there. I did a home playtest one and pretty much waltzed through an entire dungeon while the rest of the party played second fiddle.

The concept is awesome though. I really like it.

Also, hi!

I think the concept could withstand more work - also, I think it would be reasonable to make demands of at least one mental score rather than letting everything ride on Constitution; from what I've heard, the Scarred Witch Doctor taught Pathfinder players that exclusively Constitution-based magic inherently lends itself too much to "brokenness," and should be made to share the burden with another score (like the 3.5 Binder and Incarnate do).

The Aether Kinetisict also seems to ride a bit on Dex, but that's because they don't have a normal way to get to touch unless consumables are used. Frankly, I'm hoping for a nerf, or it may be similar to ROFLSTOMP early level barbarians, and pretty much once DR anything different that the slash/blunt/pierce/magic, the effectiveness is going to go downhill quite fast. Sure later on they can get touch attacks, but some, if not most, may be used similar to SLA ?/per day because of the burn mechanics.

As for multiple mental stats, I would assume that Wisdom would be a good mental stat for the blast to ride on as well as Constitution, since it seems that it would be practical experience rather thank knowledge that taught the Kineticist how to use their powers.

Frankly, until the book is out in July, I'm still scared of what the Mesmerist's new abilities entail, and the slaughter that the Psychic could do later on. As for Morrin, I think I'm alright, considering he's more of squish tank and may have better use being the back up artillery, somewhat similar to an archer.

Kineticists aren't purely Constitution-based however. You also need Dex or Strength (for niche melee builds) to be a functional Kineticist. Additionally, the Scarred Witch Doctor isn't an apt comparison as that archetype has no drawback on the health gain from that massive Constitution, while Kineticists spend their health to power their most powerful abilities. Sure, I may have 80 HP on paper as a Kineticist, but after building up my DR and powering my Feel the Burn, I only have 59, which is in line with other d8 classes that can spend into Con or have higher hit dice. Moving to the addition of a mental stat would mean that the whole class needs a rework as the Burn mechanic wouldn't function. You can't be a good Kineticist with 14 Con or 14 Dex/Str.

DR doesn't really effect Kineticists though. Early DR is easy enough to get through as Aether/Terra and all melee forms get bludgeoning/magic which gets by most everything until early mid levels. Once you hit mid levels, you can fire off large blasts that are empowered (at no burn cost if you spend the move action). So even DR 10/Good is not that big of a deal when you drop 30-50 points of damage in a blast action at 7th level. Plus, the usual culprits for that kind of DR in Pathfinder are BBEGs until high level play, upon which you can fire off some composite empowered blasts for 2 Burn and drop 12d6+22 at 7th level.

This is all while having DR 6/Adamantine, AC 23 and 59 effective HP to play with.

Also, small creatures are the best kineticists, imo. No need for strength + AC and hit bonuses for being small with no reduction in blast damage.

Yeah, that's the vibe I got from Morrin too. His damage isn't too far off from what my ranged slayer will be putting up once he gets a composite longbow, and they pretty much fulfill the same role.

Besides, Morrin saved our bacon in that one room. I'm not complaining. Haha

Oh, it's because of Morrin as to why I want to make a Maneuver Master Monk or CMB Fighter..... Please excuse me while I make every enemy in the area move to a more favorable location.....

Oh, and I think I may have an other fun character on it's way.... Using a Con Boon for something, but I need to look at a few of the traits it gives me access to....

So, I think I got my first pfs gm star today. There is a single star by my name on my profile. What does that mean for me as far as pfs goes?

That means you can GM or play a scenario you have played previously for credit, and if you want to reroll, you add your star count to that reroll.

For the replaying or GMing of scenarios, it burns the star and you can't replay anymore until it is recharged with the Expanded Narrative boon.

You can also apply one of these to a character. Taking the different rewards as your character reaches the appropriate level and you earn the appropriate number of stars.

Also congrats on your first star and thank you for sharing the GM work load.

I want that boon.... Maybe next weekend at the local con.
(Don't have anything to trade for it, so the trading thread not a viable option.)

So, I think I got my first pfs gm star today. There is a single star by my name on my profile. What does that mean for me as far as pfs goes?

It means both 'congrats' for your achievement, and 'thank you' for doing your part to develop the game and your hobby :)

Your Pathfinder card will reflect the change, and you can download it under your MY PFS profile, print it out, and take it with you for games.

The re-roll is the most useful bonus as you now have a free re-roll once per session and may apply a +1 bonus to it.

Thanks guys. I had no idea about the star chronicle sheets. Those are pretty sweet.

I wish there was a local con I could GM at. There is only me in my area, the closest other society GM is two hours away.

Well, coming pretty soon, there will be the Online PbP Game Day 4. It offers both GM and random player/gm rewards. Just keep an eye out.

As soon as I notice it, I tend to post a link, so don't worry about searching the forums too much.

Shifty has been diligently poking the online VO's about it.

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Well, coming pretty soon, there will be the Online PbP Game Day 4. It offers both GM and random player/gm rewards. Just keep an eye out.

As soon as I notice it, I tend to post a link, so don't worry about searching the forums too much.

How soon is soon? GenCon is right around the corner/less than two months out. That is not a *rush* but a 'how much time do I have to get my characters done with what they are in'?

Shifty has been diligently poking the online VO's about it.

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Ha! Good going Shifty-san, I was wondering how soon the next online event was happening. Now I have to finalize some characters so I'll have someone to play!

Anastacia had a hit in the late 90's called "Im outta love" and let me say that aside from the fact that I could watch that righteous woman preach it for untold hours, I echo the sentiments when it comes to the progress of the Online Play Day(s).

I had some pretty encouraging correspondence earlier this year (some really great PM's) and it looked like things were moving, and then last month there was an advertisement for EoI for GM's for Play Day 4 (a new initiative?) but then that was pulled overnight and it was like it never happened - so yes Game Day 4 is due, no there isn't anything gazetted, and the online VO's are silent.

Surprising really because there was a panel on online (PbP) and all... so I'll just update my status to 'Perplexed'.

The proximity to Gencon is concerning too, if this PbP Day 4 was to happen it needed to roll straight on from Paizocon to allow a decent window... so I have doubts.

I will say, THIS year there will be a Talk Like a Pirate session, even if I have to buy and distribute the prizes myself; even if I have to scrape out my unused boon barrel.

I would love to play in one of those games! And I have a core character and a few lowbies that can use some tables.

I would be willing to both play and GM in an online game day. I would love some boons.

Previously they did one in the spring and one in the fall but perhaps with spring-summer usually being a heavy convention season they are moving towards a once-a-year fall online convention. With so many people attending GenCon and PaizoCon (and not wanting to tie their characters up in long PbP games), starting the online event in August or September is probably the best option.

The stated idea was to ramp up the number and run them a couple of times a year, it would be disappointing if this was reversed.

The idea I went to them with was to consider more frequent (but smaller) event type play around themes (like TLAPD etc) and try build up that way. part of their problem was how to reward/acknowledge the PbP space, because the feedback kept being 'moar boonz!', but who knows.

There was talk of more VL's etc online, but yeah I guess we are back to quiet again.

But dammit we WILL have TLAPD :)

Do we need more VLs online? Think there is a pretty good brain trust here between EF, Tektite, Rah, Lithrac, Shifty, etc. as well as all the other GMs I haven't met yet! Not sure what adding more VLs would do to benefit the online community. (This is from someone who only plays through the Flaxseed Lodge, however.)

I'm going to risk sounding like a noob here, and ask:

What is TLAPD?

Do we need more VLs online? Think there is a pretty good brain trust here between EF, Tektite, Rah, Lithrac, Shifty, etc. as well as all the other GMs I haven't met yet! Not sure what adding more VLs would do to benefit the online community. (This is from someone who only plays through the Flaxseed Lodge, however.)

Yes and no.

My observation is that the PbP space is somewhat self-governing in a lot of ways and really just merrily looks after itself. When the broader issue of online play is looked at, it also encompasses Googlehangs/Skype gaming as well, so the space is a bit complex.

With that being said, it would be good to have a few reference points (VL's) in the space who can be referred to for various reasons - to facilitate smaller events (and have a point of contact to help make them official, like a small local Con would be) and to be a go-to for in game disputes etc and whatever your normal VL would do.

As it is, yes there are a few of us running around in the PbP space that are right across it (Im up to around 20,000 pbp posts now) and it seems like with a bit more tlc we could get more going on.

My main beef (what is really yanking my crank) is that the main cons ie Paizocon/Gencon etc cut across our PbP space - REALLY!? A goodly chunk of the players in the PbP space cant actually GO to said conventions - because we are located in whats called 'the rest of the world', or they are players who don't have access to regular local events etc - so it seems a real PITA that this space can't get 'official support' because all the ONLINE staff are otherwise engaged at offline events. Cheers. That's awesome. I get it,I truly do, but it is not a thing I like.

Yeah ok I'm in a snarky mood.

Yeah, after playing in the last online gameday, it was pretty much the most fun I had with PFS in ages. Living in NZ means there's a limited number of opportunities to play PFS and usually involves travelling to various cities so I really enjoyed the Online Gameday style.

I'm going to risk sounding like a noob here, and ask:

What is TLAPD?

Talk Like A Pirate Day.

There was an semi-official event where groups who played a set of 'pirate themed' scenarios could report their groups and get prizes. The next year there was supposed to be a full legit one, but it was on the doorstep of another convention so it fell over.

Each year I run an event for it at a scenic Sydney waterside location for local players, bring beer and sausages and sit by Sydney Harbour (or riverside in a beautiful national park) and game away the day under the Jolly Roger. I haven't been able to get boons/official support yet (which was mostly my fault in fairness) however I was thinking this year I could hold my live event, but also have it as a concurrent virtual event where others could register their local/PbP games under my Event ID and I could drum up some prizes (PDF's, shake down some friendly GM's for spare boons) etc.

Living in NZ means there's a limited number of opportunities to play PFS and usually involves travelling to various cities so I really enjoyed the Online Gameday style.

Spot on!

TLAPD = Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Also, I live in Indiana and I still don't go to GenCon! Make the GenConRoundTheWorld in Sydney... >.> I'd go to that.

Best I can give you is Pirates, or a sweet sweet BBQ and gaming day in the nice Aussie sunshine.

I'm away from home this week, and don't have much time to post, but I just wanted to say I'm happy to see some discussion about Online Gameday.

I'm another person who rarely goes to conventions, and after a couple years running and playing PBPs I've found it to be my preferred style for PFS gaming.

Regarding the notion that Gameday is scheduled to avoid cons, I've noticed that Paizocon and Gencon rarely affect the PBP games I'm in. Maybe they slow down for a day or two, but many players and GMs continue posting right on through, even if they are attending one.

Yep! Where the show falls over though is that the people putting the events together (and the Paizo staff) are fairly busy with the Cons and that cuts across their time and availability - which is understandable.

I mix PbP and face to face about equally, but my face to face is mainly as a GM. Dunno how that happened... wanted to get back into gaming after a long hiatus, and found myself as a GM again...

I can't believe I didn't catch TLAPD. My college mascot was pirates. We have an annual Talk Like A Pirate Day where we all get together on campus, throw picnics and contests (which mostly involve being inebriatated and trying to accomplish simple tasks) and also, talk like pirates.

Geez. I'm a terrible pirate.

On the plus side, count me in for online game days, and TLAPD.

DM Beckett wrote:

Well, coming pretty soon, there will be the Online PbP Game Day 4. It offers both GM and random player/gm rewards. Just keep an eye out.

As soon as I notice it, I tend to post a link, so don't worry about searching the forums too much.

How soon is soon? GenCon is right around the corner/less than two months out. That is not a *rush* but a 'how much time do I have to get my characters done with what they are in'?

I apologize, I didn't see this until now. I can't give specifics because I only know a little and I have not been given permission to talk about it outside of the conversations I have had. But, I would say it would be pretty safe to say expect an announcement within a week or two and that you should try to be do by around the end of July. In a sense, you (and others), have partially already answered yourself. :P

These are just estimates. It would have been earlier, but things happened, Con Season, and I think the wait might be well worth it when Jesse spills the beans.

As for Online VLs, if you think more would be beneficial, probably the best thing to do would be to suggest a few names and why they might make good VLs. There has already been some discussion on that, but if you have input, suggestions, or ideas, I think they might like to hear it, if done in a professional way, obviously. Does not mean it will happen, or that those individuals might want the responsibilities, but it can't hurt to ask. I have seriously been considering it, more to help out than anything.