The Future of Pathfinder Society Organized Play Part X: Dominance Through Trade

Monday, May 23, 2011

The western tip of the vast, continent-spanning Padishah Empire of Kelesh, the Satrapy of Qadira serves as the gateway between the wealth and resources of eastern Casmaron and the eager ports and markets of the Inner Sea. Its singular position as the funnel through which Casmaron's wealth f lows has painted Qadira's outlook on the world, and from the richest trade prince of Katheer to the lowliest caravan driver of the vast southern deserts, Qadirans recognize that the way to true power and influence is through trade and economic dominance. And no single city or nation is more strategically placed to rule the markets of the entire region than Absalom, which is why the satrap has invested substantial resources and his best agents in ensuring that Qadira gains control over trade in Absalom and—shortly thereafter—the entirety of Avistan and northern Garund.

The weekend is over and now there's profit to be made! And that's Qadira's bag. In many ways, it's the most accessible faction for those of us living in the real world, because, you know, we all understand how much power comes with money. It is nice, after all, to be able to buy the things you need and to charge what you think you're worth for the services you provide to others.

Illustration by Ryan Portillo

So we already talked about a few changes coming to some of the other factions, but Qadira is one of the two getting the largest shakeup. I don't want to spoil anything, especially in light of two new scenarios coming out later this week, but I will say this: the change is going to take place "on screen." So once people have played the scenario in which the proverbial stuff hits the fan, use this thread to discuss it. Just use spoiler tags, or at least charge your fellow Pathfinders a fee for the information you possess. After all, what true Qadiran wouldn't profit when profit can be had?

And you're likely wondering who the mysterious stranger is in this blog post. Well, I'm not going to say. At least not for free...

Come back next week for a look at how to get ahead in the Pathfinder Society, or how to take your time and enjoy the scenery a bit more. Next Monday's blog is likely to make a lot of players very happy.

Mark Moreland
Developer

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Pathfinder Society Qadira Ryan Portillo
Dark Archive 1/5

Ten thousand copper pennies for your thoughts Sahib صاحب‎ .

The Exchange 5/5

Finally... an update and happenings about a faction we can all get behind! (or get paid to work for)

Looking forward to the Qadiran changes!

QADIRA FTW!

Dark Archive 1/5

Mark in the Blog wrote:
Next Monday's blog is likely to make a lot of players very happy.

I'll let the hell cat out of the bag because your not in the office today Mark.

Spoiler:

The Cheliax faction finally got enough prestidge points and we are commissioning a keen, vorpal, other faction bane, Death Star.

Payback's a biotch suckahs !!

Sovereign Court 2/5

baron arem heshvaun wrote:
** spoiler omitted **

I, for one, welcome our new Chelaxian overlords.

4/5

Quote:
Come back next week for a look at how to get ahead in the Pathfinder Society, or how to take your time and enjoy the scenery a bit more. Next Monday's blog is likely to make a lot of players very happy.

Sounds like there's going to be a way to vary your XP rate in order to stay lower level for longer or rise in level faster.

Though for this week's blog, I wish we could have gotten a single hard fact about Qadira's changes, even if it was small, like with the other three factions so far.


Rogue Eidolon wrote:
Quote:
Come back next week for a look at how to get ahead in the Pathfinder Society, or how to take your time and enjoy the scenery a bit more. Next Monday's blog is likely to make a lot of players very happy.

Sounds like there's going to be a way to vary your XP rate in order to stay lower level for longer or rise in level faster.

Though for this week's blog, I wish we could have gotten a single hard fact about Qadira's changes, even if it was small, like with the other three factions so far.

You just have to read between the lines... ;)


Rogue Eidolon wrote:
Though for this week's blog, I wish we could have gotten a single hard fact about Qadira's changes, even if it was small, like with the other three factions so far.

Wait until Wednesday. :)

Hyrum.

Sovereign Court 1/5

LoreKeeper wrote:


You just have to read between the lines... ;)

My reading sees three different references that imply Qadirans can charge for their services...

Mark Moreland wrote:

...to charge what you think you're worth for the services you provide to others.

...or at least charge your fellow Pathfinders a fee for the information you possess.
...Well, I'm not going to say. At least not for free...

--Vrock bottom prices!

4/5

King of Vrock wrote:
LoreKeeper wrote:


You just have to read between the lines... ;)

My reading sees three different references that imply Qadirans can charge for their services...

Mark Moreland wrote:

...to charge what you think you're worth for the services you provide to others.

...or at least charge your fellow Pathfinders a fee for the information you possess.
...Well, I'm not going to say. At least not for free...

--Vrock bottom prices!

Hmm, interesting. One of my players was for some bizarre reason absolutely enamored by the idea of

Throaty Mermaid:
Killik
and he thought of charging other players for services, which I told him he can't do for PFS. Still, I think that would be seen as obnoxious even if allowed "Need a CLW to be stabilized and wake up? 10 gp!"

Granted, my only PC, though Qadiran, is likely to jump ship if any of the five new factions is more Shelyn-friendly without being overly chaotic like Andoran or seriously lawful (like if Mendev is a faction).

Dark Archive

Rogue Eidolon wrote:
Still, I think that would be seen as obnoxious even if allowed "Need a CLW to be stabilized and wake up? 10 gp!"

Doesn't Abadar's faith forbid healing for free anyways?

It is so hard to feel gold-oriented in a system that forbids item creation or sale... then again, it is also rather hard to feel properly Cheliaxian in a system that forbids being Lawful Evil. At least all my "Rather close to evil but seriously, the sheet says neutral, look I just gave money to an orphan DON'T JUDGE ME" characters can still be Lawful...

5/5

I heard in Season 3, other factions will have to pay Qadiran's for to get their share of loot. :)

Sure, Taldor got tax money. Andoran's freed some slave's. Ossirian got a chronicle published with it's ancient language. Chelix of course killed the slaves.

Qadira of course profited from the sale of Magical Items or at least items made from special materials.

Go Qadira.

The Exchange 4/5

Such a tease! I am curious to know why we even need a shake-up?! Qadira is doing mightily fine! Besides, I bet most Qadirans will stay when the new factions release. Not like the droves that will leave the Andorans. :)

2/5

Rogue Eidolon wrote:
Still, I think that would be seen as obnoxious even if allowed "Need a CLW to be stabilized and wake up? 10 gp!"

I go along with it. I also charge 10gp per swing of my sword. They don't have to pay if they don't want me to stop the baddies from killing them. I find I make a much higher profit that way.

WyteNite wrote:
then again, it is also rather hard to feel properly Cheliaxian in a system that forbids being Lawful Evil. At least all my "Rather close to evil but seriously, the sheet says neutral, look I just gave money to an orphan DON'T JUDGE ME" characters can still be Lawful...

I got given quite a big lecture for committing an evil act at my last con. And it was with my chaotic good Andoran to boot! Funnily enough, my "honest! I'm not evil. I'm lawful neutral. *wink* *wink*" taldan has never inspired such a strong response.

Dark Archive

Rogue Eidolon wrote:
One of my players was for some bizarre reason absolutely enamored by the idea of ** spoiler omitted ** and he thought of charging other players for services, which I told him he can't do for PFS.

Hah, I did the same thing in Season 0, before it was brought to my attention that I couldn't do that. It was a nice, scam, too. I was buying Scrolls of CLW at cost and charging 35 GP for the service, saving fellow Pathfinders a whopping 15 gp off of the cost of a pointless potion. I would have made a killing, too.... If it hadn't been for those pesky kids...

The Exchange 5/5 RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16

Clerics and other priests of Abadar are required by their god to receive payments for spell-casting services.

Grand Lodge 5/5 Regional Venture-Coordinator, Baltic

Chris Mortika wrote:
Clerics and other priests of Abadar are required by their god to receive payments for spell-casting services.

Indeed, and PFS doesn't stop you roleplaying this, it's just that at the end of the adventure you ignore all monetary transactions between player characters.

What is the battlecry of a paladin of Abadar?

Spoiler:
CHARGE!!!

5/5

Auke Teeninga wrote:

What is the battlecry of a paladin of Abadar?

** spoiler omitted **

Lol :)

The Exchange 5/5 5/55/5 *

Auke Teeninga wrote:
Chris Mortika wrote:
Clerics and other priests of Abadar are required by their god to receive payments for spell-casting services.

Indeed, and PFS doesn't stop you roleplaying this, it's just that at the end of the adventure you ignore all monetary transactions between player characters.

What is the battlecry of a paladin of Abadar?

** spoiler omitted **

Heh.

My paladin/bard of Abadar was fond of bolstering his companions with a jaunty tune whose refrain was 'There's nothing wrong with reasonable taxes.' Caused numbers of raised eyebrows.

2/5

Chris Mortika wrote:
Clerics and other priests of Abadar are required by their god to receive payments for spell-casting services.

There's an exception for PCs (the exception is worded a bit better than that. But that's effectively what it boils down to).

1/5

I am assuming any ability to charge PCs for services is limited to optional faction missions.

"You want help with that thing we weren't sent here to do? Sure, but it's outside our charter, so I'll have to draw up a new contract for that. Just give me one second here..."

The amount you're allowed to charge would probably also be fixed by the module, and along the lines of day-job rewards by level.

2/5 *

These teasers really do tease quite a bit.

I guess PVP is permitted against Qadiran PCs if they try to charge for services? :)

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

Though Qadira is all about making money, the organized play rules for not transferring wealth between players stands, even for members of this faction.

Shadow Lodge 4/5 ****

Weren't we suppose to get some concrete info about Qadira's changes today?

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

AxeMurder0 wrote:
Weren't we suppose to get some concrete info about Qadira's changes today?

We are releasing two new scenarios today. I suggest anyone looking for more information play or run these as soon as possible.

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

Just a heads-up: next week's PFS blog will go live on Tuesday, as no one will be in the office Monday in observance of Memorial Day, and thus won't be able to troubleshoot any issues or answer any questions regarding the news that's sure to make a pretty big splash within the Society.

The Exchange 4/5

Mark Moreland wrote:
Just a heads-up: next week's PFS blog will go live on Tuesday, as no one will be in the office Monday in observance of Memorial Day, and thus won't be able to troubleshoot any issues or answer any questions regarding the news that's sure to make a pretty big splash within the Society.

For those of us at Comicpalooza we've already played The Dalsine Affair and had Hyrum debrief us afterwards (the information is just easier to process if you don't have briefs on). I'm just saying... if I knew how to use spoiler tags I might have sold the information.

4/5

Demoyn wrote:
Mark Moreland wrote:
Just a heads-up: next week's PFS blog will go live on Tuesday, as no one will be in the office Monday in observance of Memorial Day, and thus won't be able to troubleshoot any issues or answer any questions regarding the news that's sure to make a pretty big splash within the Society.
For those of us at Comicpalooza we've already played The Dalsine Affair and had Hyrum debrief us afterwards (the information is just easier to process if you don't have briefs on). I'm just saying... if I knew how to use spoiler tags I might have sold the information.

You type the word SPOILER in brackets, then type your message, then type /SPOILER in brackets. Like this

Dalsine Affair and first pay me 2,000 GP:
Pasha Muhlia Al'Jakri totally kills Baron Jacquo Dalsine!

You can also quote my post and look at how I did the spoilers. I was a bit fancier and typed SPOILER=message within the brackets.

Dark Archive 1/5

Demoyn wrote:
The Dalsine Affair and had Hyrum debrief us afterwards (the information is just easier to process if you don't have briefs on). I'm just saying... if I knew how to use spoiler tags I might have sold the information.

Everything is proceeding as Her Imperial Majestrix has foreseen ...

The Exchange 4/5

baron arem heshvaun wrote:
Everything is proceeding as Her Imperial Majestrix has foreseen ...

Did she see her demotion because she doesn't have the organizational skills to get the job done? Apparently not.

Dark Archive 1/5

Joseph Caubo wrote:
baron arem heshvaun wrote:
Everything is proceeding as Her Imperial Majestrix has foreseen ...
Did she see her demotion because she doesn't have the organizational skills to get the job done? Apparently not.

Your Intelligence {Network} is even more pitiful than I realized.

The Exchange 4/5

Joseph Caubo wrote:
baron arem heshvaun wrote:
Everything is proceeding as Her Imperial Majestrix has foreseen ...
Did she see her demotion because she doesn't have the organizational skills to get the job done? Apparently not.

Yes she did (Dalsine Affair spoiler).:
Would you want to keep that job if people were running around slaying Venture-Captains?
The Exchange 4/5

baron arem heshvaun wrote:
Your Intelligence {Network} is even more pitiful than I realized.

Intelligence is never a forte when you've been hitting the sauce.

Spoiler:
Faction leader does not equal Venture Captain.

The Exchange 4/5

Joseph Caubo wrote:
baron arem heshvaun wrote:
Your Intelligence {Network} is even more pitiful than I realized.

Intelligence is never a forte when you've been hitting the sauce.

** spoiler omitted **

You, sir, need to learn of counter-intelligence!

Dark Archive 1/5

Bah! You Qadirans can not even pause from counting your coppers long enough to realiize the difference between Her Imperial Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II (of who's august leadership I was speaking of) and her servant Paracountess Zarta Dralneen.

The Paracountess' flagging leadership has certainly caught the eye of our Imperious Leader ... perhaps a more competent leader (for example, my humble self) should indeed take up the Cheliax banner to bring Order to Golarion, and bring Her Majestrix opponents to heel.

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/5

baron arem heshvaun wrote:

Bah! You Qadirans can not even pause from counting your coppers long enough to realiize the difference between Her Imperial Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II (of who's august leadership I was speaking of) and her servant Paracountess Zarta Dralneen.

The Paracountess' flagging leadership has certainly caught the eye of our Imperious Leader ... perhaps a more competent leader (for example, my humble self) should indeed take up the Cheliax banner to bring Order to Golarion, and bring Her Majestrix opponents to heel.

Would that mean that you get to throw the parties that none of the PCs get to go to now?

2/5 *

Mark Moreland wrote:
Just a heads-up: next week's PFS blog will go live on Tuesday, as no one will be in the office Monday in observance of Memorial Day, and thus won't be able to troubleshoot any issues or answer any questions regarding the news that's sure to make a pretty big splash within the Society.

Knock knock. It's Tuesday. Bring it!

Dark Archive 1/5

cblome59 wrote:
Would that mean that you get to throw the parties that none of the PCs get to go to now?

Everyone is welcome to come to try and get into the party; not everyone gets in and out alive.

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ***

baron arem heshvaun wrote:
Everyone is welcome to come to try and get into the party; not everyone gets in and out alive.

I'll be there. I am a tasty morsel after all ;-)

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